The Bliss Trust

Charity Number: 297956

Annual Expenditure: £0.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £27,000-£46,000 (varies by year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (inquire directly)
  • Grant Range: Up to £750 (PRS partnership); modest grants for recordings/performances
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based (particularly British conservatoires and composers)

Contact Details

Website: www.blisstrust.org

Email: enquiries@blisstrust.org

Phone: 01258 820024

Address: The Administrator, The Bliss Trust, Copse House, Moorside, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1HJ

Contact Form: Available on their website

Overview

The Bliss Trust was established in 1986 under a Declaration of Trust to promote public understanding and appreciation of the musical works of Sir Arthur Edward Drummond Bliss (1891-1975), one of Britain's most important 20th-century composers who served as Master of the Queen's Music. The charity had an income of £22,555 and expenditure of £27,426 in the 2023-24 financial year. The Trust's strategic approach focuses on encouraging performances and broadcasts of Bliss's works through modest grants, funding recordings (particularly previously unrecorded works), awarding prizes to music students at British conservatoires, and supporting archival preservation at Cambridge University Library. The Trust is currently marking the 50th anniversary of Arthur Bliss's death with a project encouraging performances during 2024-26, which has already exceeded its initial target of 50 performances with over 200 scheduled.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bliss Trust Composer Bursaries (via PRS for Music Foundation): Up to £750 for emerging composers of contemporary classical music living and working in the UK. This partnership program supports professional development including recordings, hardware/software, travel costs for performances abroad, commissioning fees, and summer school study. Note: This scheme is highly competitive with limited resources.

Performance and Broadcast Grants: Modest grants (amounts not specified) to encourage performances and broadcasts of Arthur Bliss's works by orchestras, ensembles, and soloists.

Recording Grants: Funding assistance for recordings of Arthur Bliss's music, with particular priority given to previously unrecorded compositions.

Student Prizes: Awards for music students at British conservatoires including the Royal College of Music. The Arthur Bliss Prize for Composition is awarded annually at Cambridge University for the best portfolio of compositions submitted in either the MPhil or Part II of the Music Tripos.

Priority Areas

  • Performance and broadcast of Arthur Bliss's musical works
  • Professional recordings of Bliss's compositions, especially previously unrecorded pieces
  • Support for British conservatoire students performing Bliss's music
  • Education and professional development for British composition students and young composers
  • Contemporary classical music composition (through PRS partnership)
  • Research into Arthur Bliss's life and work
  • Archival preservation of Bliss-related materials

What They Don't Fund

  • Composers based outside the UK (for the PRS partnership program)
  • Full-time study courses
  • Projects unrelated to Arthur Bliss's music or contemporary classical composition
  • General operating costs for organizations
  • Projects outside the arts/music/education sectors
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Bliss Trust is governed by 10 trustees:

  • Richard Andrewes
  • Andrew Burn
  • Lewis Foreman
  • Anna Pensaert
  • Elizabeth Pooley (appointed 2020, also trustee of the Benjamin Archer Foundation and Gerald Finzi Trust)
  • Helen Kotz
  • Caroline Secombe
  • Elizabeth Travis
  • Ian Sanderson
  • Liam Taylor West

The Trust operates under a Declaration of Trust dated 13 May 1986, a Deed of Release dated 7 July 1987, and a Supplement Trust Deed dated 12 October 1987. The charity has no employees earning over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For General Grants: No formal application process is detailed on the Trust's website. Prospective applicants should contact the Trust directly via:

  • Email: enquiries@blisstrust.org
  • Online contact form on their website
  • Post to the Administrator at the address above

For PRS Foundation Composer Bursaries: Applications are submitted through the PRS Foundation website at prsfoundation.com/the-bliss-trust/. This is a separate partnership program with its own application procedures.

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly available. Applicants are advised to contact the Trust directly to inquire about decision timeframes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed. The PRS Foundation partnership program is described as “highly competitive” with “limited resources,” and a full application does not guarantee an award.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Trust directly to inquire about reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

The Trust's mission is highly specific: promoting Arthur Bliss's musical legacy and supporting British composers. Successful applications will demonstrate clear alignment with this focus.

Evidence from Past Awards

The Sir Arthur Bliss Solo Piano Prize at the Royal College of Music was awarded to Professor John Kersey for performances of the composer's piano sonata. This led to a recital at the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge and a meeting with the composer's widow, who noted the interpretation would have “delighted the composer.” This example suggests the Trust values performances that honor the artistic integrity of Bliss's work.

Key Success Factors

  • Direct connection to Arthur Bliss's music: Projects should clearly involve performing, recording, researching, or promoting Bliss's compositions
  • Educational value: The Trust prioritizes supporting students and emerging composers, particularly at British conservatoires
  • Quality and authenticity: Given the widow's comment about “delighting the composer,” interpretations that demonstrate deep understanding of Bliss's artistic vision are valued
  • Filling gaps: The Trust shows particular interest in recording previously unrecorded works, suggesting they value projects that expand access to Bliss's repertoire
  • British connection: Preference for British students, composers, and institutions
  • Contemporary classical music: For the PRS partnership, focus on contemporary classical composition with professional development goals

Language and Terminology

The Trust uses terms like “modest grants,” “encourage,” and “promote understanding and appreciation,” suggesting a supportive, educational approach rather than large-scale commercial funding. Applications should emphasize artistic and educational merit.

Practical Considerations

  • Contact the Trust early to discuss your project idea before submitting a formal proposal
  • Be specific about how your project advances the Trust's mission
  • For recordings, identify which works are previously unrecorded to strengthen your case
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of and commitment to Arthur Bliss's compositional legacy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Highly specialized focus: This is not a general music funder—every project must connect directly to Arthur Bliss's legacy or support British composers (through the PRS partnership)
  • Small but strategic: With annual expenditure around £27,000-£46,000, grants are “modest” but targeted; don't expect large awards
  • Relationship-driven: No formal application portal suggests the Trust values direct communication—reach out to discuss your project before applying
  • Educational priority: Strong emphasis on supporting students and emerging composers at British conservatoires
  • Quality over quantity: The Trust seeks authentic, high-quality interpretations and scholarly work that honors Bliss's artistic vision
  • Limited competition for niche projects: If your project genuinely advances Bliss's musical legacy, you may face less competition than with general music funders
  • PRS partnership offers alternative route: Emerging contemporary classical composers can access up to £750 through the more structured PRS Foundation partnership program
  • Anniversary opportunities: The 50th anniversary project (2024-26) may present additional performance funding opportunities

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