I was awarded £750 by the Tait Memorial Trust in 2006, just as I embarked on my first year of post-graduate studies specialising in piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. This award felt like a welcome from a community of like-minded antipodean ex-pats: it made me feel like I was in the right…
Author: TaitMemorialTrust
The Tait Memorial Trust has raised more than £900,000 to help support young musicians and dancers from Australia & New Zealand who need financial assistance while they are studying in the U.K. Through the Royal Over-Seas League it grants a scholarship to ‘the Australian musician showing the most promise’ in the Annual Music Competition. The Trust also contributes financially to the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, Bel Canto Awards and provides a concert platform in London to the winner.
In 2013 the Trust created a new scholarship at the Royal College of Music to be known as the ‘Tait Scholar’. This was followed by the 'Higgins Scholar' at the Royal Northern College of Music.
In addition to this, the Trust continues to support its numerous existing awards: The John Frost/Frank and Viola Tait Award; the Sir Charles Mackerras chair with the Southbank Sinfonia; in 2014 we created the 'Leanne Benjamin Awards' for young Australian dancers with the Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School; for the winner of the Australian International Opera Awards we offer grants to singers with the Wales International Academy of Voice.
We are delighted to announce that as of May 2017 we now support young performing artists from Australia & New Zealand.
Principal Partner: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
RUNE
Announcing Alastair White’s RUNE fashion-opera Following the acclaimed release of Alastair White’s (Tait Awardee 2021) ‘fashion-operas’ ROBE and WOAD, the Tait Memorial Trust is delighted to announce the forthcoming release of RUNE, in collaboration with the Divine Art team, Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival, UU Studios and designer house Ka Wa Key. RUNE is the third in the series of recordings…
Festive Firebird – Tribute to ballet in Australia and New Zealand
Our concert Festive Firebird was a wonderful celebration of ballet in Australia and New Zealand. We welcomed back Ross Alley as our host and Presenter and thank him sincerely for generously donating his time and expertise to present another magical bespoke concert for us, as ever we welcome his ongoing support. Tait Awardee, Chad Vindin returned as…
Two For The Road
Raising funds for the production and release of Tara Minton & Ed Babar’s new duo album. Summary Tait Awardee, Jazz harpist and vocalist Tara Minton, and double bassist Ed Babar have been playing and touring together for eight years. Over that time they have developed a rare musical partnership, honed over countless hours rehearsing, travelling throughout…
Richard Bonynge Award presentation by Australian High Commissioner
Last year we produced a gala concert in the Exhibition Hall, Australian High Commission to celebrate and honour the great Australian conductor Richard Bonynge AC CBE. The concert was generously sponsored by Elspeth Turner-Laing. Richard’s contribution to the performing arts over his long career is incalculable…we were delighted to honour him in this way. The…
2020 The Tenor From Oz – Australia’s own Bocelli
From a closed West End theatre stage of lockdown to the recording studio, ‘This is Me’ Paul Ettore Tabone’s new album is crafted from the heart. From 4 years on the stage of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, in the role of Ubaldo Piangi, tenor, Paul Ettore Tabone is about to…
Stars of Covent Garden in Recital at Australia House
With the full, and generous support of the Australian High Commissioner we were given permission to film several concerts in July 2020 in the beautiful surroundings of the Exhibition Hall of the Australian High Commission, London. The concert series was sponsored by Australian international logistics company, Voyage Control. The second concert featured Royal Opera House…
Joseph Tawadros AM performs at Australia House
With the full, and generous support of the Australian High Commissioner we were given permission to film several concerts in July 2020 in the beautiful surroundings of the Exhibition Hall of the Australian High Commission, London. The opening concert featured internationally acclaimed Oud virtuoso, Joseph Tawadros AM. Joseph was recently announced as the 2020 winner…
Tait Tuesdays back catalogue
Since lockdown began we have produced a weekly online concert featuring our Awardees, or in some cases notable Australians or New Zealanders in the Arts in the UK. The concerts have entertained our Friends and supporters and also provided greatly needed income for the artists. We offer a simple split of the net box office…
Kiandra Howarth wins Bel Canto Award
We are all thrilled for 2019 #TaitAwardee Kiandra Howarth for winning this years AUD$30,000 Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award and Foundation #BelCantoAward which was recently announced in Sydney. Kiandra was also awarded the AUD$1000 Audience Choice Prize, and was also placed third in the Elizabeth Connell Prize for Aspiring Dramatic Sopranos, winning $5000. The Gold Coast-born soprano…