Kanneh-Mason father to chair major charity
NewsThe music education charity Music Masters has appointed Stuart Mason as Chair of its Board of Trustees, replacing Simon Freakley who steps down after twelve years.
Currently on the Board at Music Masters and Wigmore Hall, Stuart is Senior Vice President Commercial at Belmond, a global luxury travel company.
He says: ‘Every child is creative. Every child needs the chance to find and fulfil their creative
ambition. As parents of the Kanneh-Mason children, Kadiatu and I knew we wanted music to
be part of our children’s lives and we also know what it means to have help along the way. As
Chair of Music Masters, I’d love to give back and lend my voice – to share the Music Masters
story and help children in their hundreds and thousands to fulfil their creative potential.’
Absolutely thrilled to see Stuart Mason’s appointment. We cannot put a value on the creativity of the youth, lest we risk supplying an empty well with hula-hoops and Paganini.
The Kanneh-Mason children are absolutely brilliant!
this is box ticking, nothing more
I would have thought the combination of his day job and his and his family’s constant involvement in music (both industry and education) would make him a good candidate for the board of a music charity actually.
If it were nothing more than box-ticking, he wouldn’t hold a senior role in Belmond.
OK, so what does luxury travel have to do with music education exactly? Unless you are travelling to study in Lucerne or some such, but this charity is clearly not operating at that end of the market. Maybe I am missing something obvious, so do enlighten me. (putting to one side the fact that his kids happen to be musicians of average to decent calibre, which has nothing to do with their parents’ abilities or skillsets)
The man has obvious interest in music, musical education, and the reallities of musical life. Also seem to have understanding of finance.
Average to decent? Have you heard any of them play, Simone? I doubt if you have!
‘Average to decent calibre’ – really?! Excellent to exceptional would be more accurate.
This sounds like prejudice, nothing more.
There seems to be only one acceptable response to any endeavour undertaken by any member of this over-exposed family.
I have no view on the appointment. My only view is on the automatic assumption that a man with apparent qualifications is denigrated as a “box-ticking” exercise, implying that he got his place solely based on colour. That IS prejudice.
Simone you surely want to retract your harsh and unbelievably cruel words? We need wise parents like the Kanneh Masons to further promote the learning of classical instruments on the school curriculum to benefit those children who would otherwise not have the opportunities to do so.
Your box ticking that is . The one marked unpleasant and pointless
What an excellent appointment. Someone who genuinely combines business acumen with a love and knowledge of music.
It’s truly remarkable that some people here must have such forensic insight into Stuart’s unsuitability for both his day job and charity role. But of course it’s highly confidential so they can’t go into specific details here I assume …
I don’t know him and have no reason to believe he won’t do a good job but I am struck by mention of luxury travel brand Belmond, and also the very well-spoken competitors on BBC Young Musician, including the winner, an Eton student. The best organisations face constant accusations of elitism and are forced to box tick in the name of diversity and compromise quality standards if they are to receive public funded support, thus becoming ever more elitist as the socially disadvantaged are denied the opportiunities of the ‘wealthy’. Maybe Mr Mason can use his influence for the greater good in his appointment.
Free instrumental tuition in state schools would ensure that ALL children could realise their musical potential not just the privileged few.
There will never be diversity in British orchestras whilst children from low income families cannot access instrumental lessons.
Accessing musical instruments is only the 1st step in achieving even a competent music education. I could not agree more about music being an essential part of EVERY child’s education. But to put it bluntly the reality is ‘dream on’!
The biggest incentive to children loving & learning music is to grow up in a music- filled home. But, that said, there will always be a few who overcome every hurdle. They are the especially precious ones.