On Sunday 21 August 2022, saxophonist and AYM Patron and Alumna Jess Gillam MBE presented a BBC Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Awards for Young Musicians and spoke about the difference music makes to young people. Jess revealed how AYM supported her early on in her musical journey, and shared the story of current AYM musician Aaliyah, a 13 year old clarinetist from Hull.
The appeal has raised over £45,000 to date with donations still coming in well past the original broadcast date. We would like to thank Jess, Aaliyah, the staff at the BBC and everyone who has donated and helped give talent a chance.
You can listen back to the appeal below.
We’re here to give many more young people like Aaliyah the chance to flourish. Too often young people have to give up playing music or are denied to chance to progress because their family is unable to afford the cost. Worse still is when they don’t get the opportunity to play an instrument and discover their talent in the first place. We exist to ensure that any young person who has the ability, potential, talent and determination to play an instrument, can.
Over the next few years, the need for our work will continue to grow. The rise in the cost of living will continue to affect families who are already struggling. This year we’re directly supporting over 800 individual young people. By 2024, we want to be helping 1,000 young musicians. We are determined to raise as much funding as we can to help the young musicians we’re here for reach their potential, so that no young person has to give up their passion.
“Awards for Young Musicians are such an amazing charity. If you don’t know their work then please do listen in to the appeal when you’ll hear the story of Aaliyah, one of the young musicians who they’re helping. They support hundreds of young musicians across the country to realise and fulfil their potential and I’m so proud to be a Patron for the charity and to be making this appeal on BBC Radio.”
Jess Gillam MBE
“We’re thrilled that Jess could present our BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Her amazing musicality was clear to everyone from the first time we heard her play as a 14 year old, and it’s wonderful that she’s now such a fantastic ambassador for AYM’s work.”
AYM CEO Hester Cockcroft
