Cavatina Chamber Music Trust

Charity Number: 1067716

Annual Expenditure: £0.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £19,590 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (most programs are invitation-only or partnership-based)
  • Grant Range: £10 per ticket subsidy to £1,500+ for competition prizes and fellowship awards
  • Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland
  • Status: Activities currently under review (as of 2024-2025)

Contact Details

Website: www.cavatina.net

Email: cavatina@wigmore-hall.org.uk (also info@cavatina.net)

Phone: 020 7258 8259

Address: The Wigmore Hall Trust, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP

Overview

Founded in 1998 by Simon Majaro MBE and Pamela Majaro MBE, the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust exists to bring chamber music to young people, and young people to chamber music. The charity's sole corporate trustee is The Wigmore Hall Trust, following the founders' decision to hand over the trust to Wigmore Hall's care. Over its 25+ year history, CAVATINA has introduced chamber music to over 130,000 young people across the UK. The organization's mission focuses on the advancement of musical education, promotion of public appreciation of music, and relief of musicians in necessitous circumstances. With total income of £38,793 and expenditure of £19,590 in the year ending July 2024, CAVATINA operates multiple programs including school concert visits, a ticket subsidy scheme, an intercollegiate competition, and a fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music. As of 2024-2025, the organization's activities are under review, though the website indicates updates will be posted in due course.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

School Concerts Program

  • For State Schools: Free chamber music ensemble visits (CAVATINA pays full performer fees)
  • For Independent Schools: Half-price chamber music ensemble visits (schools cover half the performer fees)
  • Scope: Over 40 visits by professional chamber music ensembles to schools throughout each academic year
  • Format: Interactive concerts bringing chamber music to young people

Ticket Scheme

  • Amount: £10 per young person attending an eligible professional chamber music concert
  • Beneficiaries: Concert promoters, music clubs, festivals, and concert venues
  • Eligibility: Young people aged 8-25, inclusive
  • Coverage: Around forty member organizations throughout England, Wales, and Scotland
  • Membership: Organizations pay £100 per year corporate friendship as reciprocal commitment
  • Application: Rolling basis for concert promoters and venues interested in partnership

CAVATINA Intercollegiate Chamber Music Competition

  • First Prize: £500 per player plus a paid public concert
  • Second Prize: £200 per player (donated by the Elias Fawcett Trust)
  • Audience Prize: £150 per player
  • Format: Alternates annually between piano trios and string quartets
  • Eligibility: Piano trios/string quartets from leading UK Conservatoires
  • Venue: Held at Wigmore Hall
  • Application: Entry by conservatoire nomination

CAVATINA Chamber Music Fellowship

  • Location: Royal Academy of Music
  • Duration: Annual fellowship
  • Beneficiaries: Chamber music ensembles
  • Application: Internal Royal Academy of Music selection process

Priority Areas

  • Youth Music Education: Primary focus on young people aged 8-25
  • Chamber Music Access: Making professional chamber music accessible without charge
  • Ensemble Development: Supporting emerging professional chamber music ensembles through competitions and fellowships
  • School Engagement: Interactive educational concerts in both state and independent schools
  • Audience Development: Creating the next generation of chamber music audiences and players
  • Geographic Reach: England, Wales, and Scotland

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-chamber music genres (chamber music defined as instrumental duos to nonets performing classical music without a conductor)
  • Organizations or individuals outside their established program structures
  • General appeals or fundraising events
  • Retrospective funding
  • Activities outside England, Wales, and Scotland
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Governance and Leadership

Corporate Trustee: The Wigmore Hall Trust (Charity No. 1024838)

Founders: Simon Majaro MBE (1938-2025) and Pamela Majaro MBE (1932-2016). The husband-and-wife team established CAVATINA in 1998 with the aim of making classical music accessible for all through chamber music. Both were awarded MBEs for their contributions to music education. Simon was an academic, author, musical instrument maker, and philanthropist. Following Pamela's death in 2016, Simon handed the trust over to Wigmore Hall's care.

Wigmore Hall Leadership: The Wigmore Hall Trust, which serves as CAVATINA's sole corporate trustee, is governed by a Board of Trustees and run by its Artistic & Executive Director, John Gilhooly.

Partnership Approach: CAVATINA has worked in partnership with Wigmore Hall for over 20 years, forming a major part of the Hall's ongoing commitment to new audiences and strategy to make tens of thousands of tickets available to young people.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

CAVATINA does not have a standard public application process for most of its programs. Different programs operate through different mechanisms:

School Concerts Program:

  • Schools interested in hosting a CAVATINA concert should contact the organization directly at info@cavatina.net or visit www.cavatina.net
  • State schools receive free visits; independent schools pay half the performer fees
  • The organization expects whole-hearted support and participation of the Head Teacher and staff
  • Schools with enthusiastic Head Teachers may receive annual visits
  • The presence of the Head is essential for future visits

Ticket Scheme (for Concert Promoters and Venues):

  • Organizations interested in joining the scheme should contact CAVATINA at info@cavatina.net
  • Members take out corporate friendship with CAVATINA (£100 per year)
  • The scheme operates on a partnership basis with approximately forty member organizations

Intercollegiate Competition:

  • Entry is by conservatoire nomination, not direct application
  • Piano trios and string quartets from leading UK Conservatoires are invited to participate
  • Alternates annually between piano trios and string quartets

CAVATINA Fellowship at Royal Academy of Music:

  • Internal Royal Academy of Music selection process
  • Not open to external applications

Current Status: As of 2024-2025, CAVATINA's activities are under review. Prospective applicants should check the website (www.cavatina.net) for updates or contact the organization directly for current status.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for most programs as they operate on an invitation, partnership, or internal nomination basis rather than through open application cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. School concert visits are subject to availability and the organization's capacity to arrange over 40 visits per academic year.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented. Given the partnership-based nature of most programs, organizations and schools that demonstrate commitment and engagement (particularly Head Teacher involvement for school concerts) may receive repeat visits or ongoing partnership status.

Application Success Factors

Given CAVATINA's unique model operating through partnerships and trustee discretion rather than open applications, success in engaging with this funder depends on:

For Schools:

  • Head Teacher Engagement: The organization explicitly states that “the presence of the Head is essential for future visits” and notes that “many schools with enthusiastic Head Teachers receive an annual visit from a CAVATINA ensemble.” Active leadership participation is critical.
  • Whole-School Commitment: CAVATINA expects “the whole-hearted support and participation of the Head Teacher and staff,” not just music department involvement.
  • School Type: State schools receive free concerts; independent schools are expected to contribute half the performer fees.

For Concert Promoters and Venues:

  • Reciprocal Commitment: Members must take out corporate friendship with CAVATINA (£100 per year) as a signal of “reciprocal belief in the cause.”
  • Youth Accessibility: Organizations must commit to admitting young people (ages 8-25) without charge when CAVATINA provides the £10 per person subsidy.
  • Chamber Music Focus: Concerts must feature instrumental duos to nonets performing classical music without a conductor.

For Musicians and Ensembles:

  • Conservatoire Connection: Competition entry requires nomination from a leading UK Conservatoire.
  • Performance Excellence: Competition winners demonstrate the highest quality of chamber music performance.
  • Educational Skills: Ensembles visiting schools must deliver highly engaging concerts and workshops suitable for young audiences.

Organizational Philosophy:

The founders' vision was to make classical music accessible for all through chamber music, with a particular focus on developing the next generation of chamber music lovers and players. Alignment with this educational and accessibility mission is fundamental to all CAVATINA programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not a Traditional Grant-Maker: CAVATINA operates primarily through partnerships, trustee-initiated programs, and invitation-only schemes rather than open grant applications. Organizations seeking funding should focus on relationship-building and partnership development.
  • Activities Currently Under Review: As of 2024-2025, CAVATINA's activities are under review. Check www.cavatina.net for updates before pursuing any engagement.
  • Head Teacher Engagement is Critical for Schools: CAVATINA explicitly prioritizes schools where the Head Teacher is actively involved and committed, with their presence described as “essential for future visits.”
  • Youth Focus is Non-Negotiable: All programs center on young people aged 8-25. Organizations must demonstrate genuine commitment to youth accessibility and engagement.
  • Chamber Music Definition is Specific: Eligible programs must feature instrumental duos to nonets performing classical music without a conductor—this definition excludes orchestral music, vocal-only performances, and contemporary genres.
  • Wigmore Hall Connection: As the sole corporate trustee of CAVATINA, The Wigmore Hall Trust oversees all operations. Understanding Wigmore Hall's broader educational mission and relationship-building opportunities through the Hall may provide pathways to engagement.
  • Partnership Model Requires Reciprocity: The Ticket Scheme explicitly requires members to demonstrate reciprocal commitment through a £100 annual corporate friendship, signaling that CAVATINA values mutual investment in the mission over one-way funding relationships.

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References

  • CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust. Official Website. www.cavatina.net. Accessed 29 December 2024.
  • The Violin Channel. “Cavatina Intercollegiate Chamber Music Competition Announces Winners for 2025.” Accessed 29 December 2024.
  • Charity Commission for England and Wales. “THE WIGMORE HALL TRUST - Charity Overview.” Register of Charities, Charity No. 1024838. Accessed 29 December 2024.