A Musical Legacy

You’d have to have been living under a rock to be unaware of the effect St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh, has had on the musical landscape of the United Kingdom. A quick glance at some of the scores of notable alumni reveals such names as concert pianist Steven Osborne OBE, award winning bagpiper Brìghde Chaimbeul, and eminent composer Helen Grime MBE – let alone comedian and Pointless host Alexander Armstrong. It’s really no wonder that St Mary’s is considered Scotland’s national music school.

To this end, aficionados of classical music will be thrilled to know that the school has just received the most significant legacy in its 50 year history, courtesy one David Hutcheson. Totalling over a million pounds, this will go towards developing and modernising its facilities, so that it may continue to provide the best possible experience for generations of talented young musicians to come.

St Mary’s Music School Headteacher, Dr Kenneth Taylor, remembers David fondly: ‘[he] was a great music aficionado and a generous supporter of the School. His support of our young musicians during his lifetime was wonderful but his legacy is nothing short of remarkable … His generosity will live on with the School and help our aspiring young musicians to go on to careers as professional instrumentalists, composers, singers, conductors and music teachers around the world.’

David’s lifelong love affair with music began with his mother. An excellent violinist herself, she encouraged him to become a skilled pianist – it was her influence and inspiration that led to him becoming a major supporter of the Edinburgh School in his later years and a regular attender at its concerts and performances. He believed passionately in supporting young people and music.

David amassed a significant collection of antique furniture, British and European paintings, and silver – highlights of his collection will be auctioned by Lyon & Turnbull in their forthcoming Five Centuries sale on 4 – 5 September and across a range of specialist auctions this autumn. All will benefit St Mary’s Music School, as was his wish.