‘My most profound thanks of all go to Ian Stoutzker, our staunch and generous Chairman. He has supported and led Live Music Now since its earliest days; he has given unstintingly in many ways, always guided by his deep faith in the ideals of the scheme and his profound love and understanding of music.’ Yehudi Menuhin, written on the 20th Anniversary of Live Music Now in 1997
Today is the birthday of LMN’s Founder-Chairman, Ian Stoutzker CBE. Not one for the limelight, we hope he doesn’t mind us celebrating him a bit on his birthday. We won’t mention his actual age, although you wouldn’t believe it if we did.
It was 1961, more than 50 years ago now, when Ian and Mercedes Stoutzker made their first gift to the arts. The recipient was the Royal College of Music, which established the Ian Stoutzker Prize for excellence in violin-playing. Just a few years before, Ian himself might have been a contender to win it. As a young man he trained at the College under Albert Sammons, before eventually choosing a new path at the London School of Economics. Perhaps no musician has ever done so much for music after choosing a new career.
Over the years Ian has supported many musical projects. He was VP of the Royal College of Music, Chairman of the Philharmonia and later of the London Symphony Orchestra, but he believes his greatest contribution was founding Live Music Now with Yehudi Menuhin in 1977. Today Live Music Now is the foremost musicians' development and outreach charity in Europe and has given over 55,000 workshops and interactive performances throughout the UK. Ian remains the active Founder Chairman.
On behalf of all the musicians, alumni, staff and beneficiaries of Live Music Now, we wish Ian a very Happy Birthday!!!
Our new South East musicians perform their own tribute during a training session:
Here's one from Dan Walsh and Nic Zuppardi:
And one from the folks at Dalemead Care Home, along with Mae Heydorn and musicians from the Jacquin Trio:
And finally, the Welsh musicians weigh in, briefly:
(A huge thanks to all the musicians and staff who sent photos in from across the UK. He really enjoyed his digital birthday card!!)
Staff Photo credit: Ivan Gonzalez
