Evelyn Glennie becomes charity chief

The Scottish percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie has been named president of Help Musicians, only the third person to hold that title after Edward Elgar and Peter Maxwell Davies.

The appointment was made before the Covid outbreak but delayed to allow the charity to devote all energies to addressing the emergency at its peak. Glennie, 54, has broad public appeal.

press release quotes:
Graham Sheffield CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Dame Evelyn Glennie into the Help Musicians family as our new President. Just like her two predecessors, Elgar and Maxwell Davies, Evelyn is a musical giant of her time. She is a trail-blazer, whose energy and musicality reach beyond traditional boundaries to musicians and music-lovers of all genres. Help Musicians also reaches across all genres, offering a broad and innovative spectrum of support to empower musicians at all stages of their lives. Throughout her career Evelyn has demonstrated a unique ability as a communicator and inspiration. As we approach our Centenary next year, we are honoured that she has joined us to help spread our key messages around the development and welfare of professional musicians, as well as the importance and power of music.”

Dame Evelyn Glennie, said: “It is a great pleasure for me to accept the position of Presidency of Help Musicians. The incredibly important all-encompassing role Help Musicians have within the music industry is immense, whether through their cutting-edge research or their immediate call to action in drastic times as we are presently experiencing. I’m looking forward to participating with the incredibly dedicated team in an exciting journey where the aims and ambitions are all about listening, making a difference, empowerment and allowing people to have a voice. Help Musicians has such an exciting landscape and it is wonderful that the immense history and what lies ahead can be celebrated during the all-important landmark of the Centenary celebrations in 2021.”