Music For Youth Appoints New Chief Executive
Music for Youth, the educational charity that runs the Schools Prom and nationwide festivals for 100,000 children each year, of which Yamaha is an ardent supporter, has appointed Lincoln Abbotts as its new chief executive. Lincoln, who has devised and run dozens of music programmes for young people and their families for the BBC Proms and BBC Symphony Orchestra, replaces Larry Westland, the charity’s founder, who is retiring after 37 years.
Lincoln, who is 38, is joining the charity that helped inspire his enthusiasm for music 25 years ago when he played the flute at the Schools Prom. He said: “The opportunity to perform in a major venue was a significant early influence and I can still remember the excitement and thrill of it all. With its national programme and huge creative ambition, Music for Youth is a unique organisation. I am delighted to be joining and look forward to continuing and developing the opportunities that it offers young musicians across the UK.”
He has 18 years’ experience as manager, musician, consultant, instrumental tutor and workshop leader. At present he is learning consultant for BBC Proms and learning manager for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He has devised the Family Orchestra and Chorus programmes for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Proms and was the driving force behind collaborations which brought together musicians of all ages and experience to work with performers from Indonesia, Africa, Iran and South America. His most recent project for the Proms was Brass Day, which involved Uzbek trumpeters, the Coldstream Guards and brass players aged eight to eighty.
Larry Westland, who was awarded the CBE for his work with Music for Youth, will become Honorary Life President and will continue to advise Lincoln. He said: “I am excited that Music for Youth has been able to attract someone of the calibre of Lincoln. Everything has to move on and I look forward to seeing Lincoln build on the firm foundation we have built over many years.”
For further information, please contact: Chloë Faulkner: 020 8870 9624; Email: chloe@mfy.org.uk
(Posted 16/1/08) (ends)
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