In this guest post, Young Sounds UK Trustee and Guardian Angel Lynda Beament shares how supporting Young Sounds celebrates the memory of her husband Mike and why she’s leaving a gift in her Will.
I first came across Young Sounds in 2017, shortly after death of my husband Mike, when a friend invited to me to a Young Sounds concert. I was struck by the amazing talent of the young musicians, the friendliness of everyone there – from the staff, supporters, musicians and their families, and the aims of the charity: to help talented young musicians from low-income families reach their potential. I made a donation on the night through the Big Give Christmas Challenge, and I was very touched to receive a personal thank you a few days later. It was altogether a very pleasant experience, and I decided I’d like to get involved!
At the time, Young Sounds was looking for volunteers to help with their 20th anniversary concert at Wilton’s Music Hall, so I signed up and I haven’t looked back! While working on the anniversary event, I discovered that some supporters had set up Named Awards either in their own name or in memory of someone who had been close to them. I began to think about the possibility of setting up something in memory of Mike. This became an even more attractive prospect when I learned that the charity wanted to publicise the range of music genres they supported. Mike was a fun person with a very eclectic musical taste and a love of anything new and out of the ordinary. The opportunity to reflect that and help the charity extend its reach was very appealing.
After chatting with a few of Mike’s friends, we came up with the idea of an Award for Music Technology. We thought that quite a lot of young people initially get into music by being bedroom musicians/producers. As Mike was always excited by musicians who pushed boundaries and were really committed to achieving their own version of perfection, providing support to help make that happen seemed like a fitting memorial.
Hester (Young Sounds’ Chief Executive) and the team were fantastically supportive, although they did gently curb one or two of my more extreme ideas! Going back through some of the initial paperwork recently made me realise just how much work the set up involved but there was a strong collective will to make it happen. The Mike Beament Awards for Music Technology were launched in 2020 during Covid lockdown, which seemed particularly fitting as Music Technology is something which can be done from pretty much from anywhere and we were essentially providing support for people to work from their own homes.
Since the launch, the Awards have gone from strength to strength – in July 2022 there was the first ever Awards Day for pop/rock musicians, songwriters and producers at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. This was followed by a similar day in September 2023 at the London College of Contemporary Music (LCCM). There have also been two fundraising gigs showcasing singer/songwriters, guitarists and producers at Third Man Records in June 2023 and at LCCM in June 2024. It’s fantastic that Award winners have had the opportunity to perform in such prestigious and well-equipped venues and it’s been great for me to be able to invite friends and family along to these and share happy memories of Mike as we marvelled at the talent his Awards were helping to develop.
Best of all have been the messages I have received from the recipients of the Awards. Raphael, who was 16 when he received The Mike Beament Award and is now 19, is an instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer. He wrote to me to say:
“I would like to thank you for the opportunity. It is the only reason I will be able to continue to progress and develop my music technology knowledge and skills. I wouldn’t be where I am currently without the support and help of the Award. It’s helping me achieve my goals! I will be forever grateful. Although I do not know much about Mike Beament apart from what I have read, I do know that his fun personality and eclectic musical taste has inspired many, including me, to continue doing what we love, and I thank you along with many others for the opportunities you have given us. Thank you, Lynda Beament. Wish you all the very best!”
Xavier, an 18 year old instrumentalist, producer and songwriter from Cornwall, who received The Mike Beament Award in 2024, wrote:
“Thank you for this Award. As someone who has often struggled to find a musical home, being recognised for more eclectic and experimental music has meant so much to me. This Award will help me develop my craft and just being recognised has helped confront my self-doubt in relation to my music. Reading about Mike’s background has definitely helped me feel less alone in my musical exploration. Although I am not an expert in opera, I relate to his music taste and so I feel honoured to have received an Award in his name. Thank you.”
Isn’t that a lovely way to be remembered?!
I definitely intend to leave money in my Will to Young Sounds. I know from experience the joy and friendship music making has given me throughout my life and I know first-hand that Young Sounds are absolutely committed to making that joy and sense of belonging available to as many young people as possible – particularly to those who need it most.
It’s very, very easy to leave money to charities and as well as the satisfaction of helping people to benefit from something you feel is important, there are tax advantages for your beneficiaries. It couldn’t be simpler to get started – Young Sounds is part of the National Free Wills Network which can put you in touch with a local solicitor and a partner of Bequeathed, an online will writing service. But we’re also here to help!
We’re so grateful to legacy supporters like Lynda who are helping us create a musical future for the next generation. If you’d like to find out more about supporting Young Sounds in your Will, you can read this step-by-step guide to make legacy giving as simple as possible. You can also reach out to our Development Administrator Katherine Rigg on [email protected] or 0300 302 0476.
