The George Turnlund Memorial Fund was created in March 2011 to encourage talented musical youngsters in or around Thanet to perform in public.
George was a professional musician who lived in Thanet for much of his life. After his retirement he played for many years with Thanet Light Orchestra (TLO), the Impromptu Ensemble, and many other local groups.
The object of the fund is to offer small payments to young people who perform at TLO concerts or similar events, in a similar way to what used to happen with the Isle of Thanet Symphony Orchestra. As such it will be as informal and unbureaucratic as possible, with all accounts being run through TLO's books (but kept clearly separate, and open to inspection). Those interested either in donating to the fund or in performing with the orchestra - or for example in solo recitals with Music at York Street (the new incarnation of the Broadstairs Music Recital Society) - should contact TLO's secretary (Ben Jones, 01843 847701) in the first instance.
The photo above shows some of the first 'young professionals': cellist Clara Jones and violinists Jessica Hogben, Zofia Wołny and Issac Kundukulam, who all performed solo items at the Broadstairs Music Recital Society's "Music for Youth" concert, joining the Impromptu Ensemble.
Others who have been sponsored to date include: Ellen Whitehead (violin), Alex Chadwick (flute), Eleanor Martin (piano), Arran Hope (violin), Oliver Hope (clarinet), George Titterton (horn), Ben Archer (horn), Matthew Clayton (piano), Henry Baker (piano), Adam Hu (piano), Joseph Chesters (piano), Fabian Caton-Crooks (percussion), Shizuku Tatsuno (cello), Lizzy Russel (oboe), Andrew Edginton (violin) and Solomon Markman (violin).
Shizuku Tatsuno playing Haydn's cello concerto in C (brief clip from rehearsal for Thanet Light Orchestra concert in St Nicholas-at-Wade, July 2019)
Lizzy Russell playing Marcello's oboe concerto in D minor (brief clip from rehearsal for Thanet Light Orchestra concert in St Nicholas-at-Wade, July 2019)
Lizzy and Shizuku playing a Beethoven duo (brief clip from rehearsal for Thanet Light Orchestra concert in St Nicholas-at-Wade, July 2019)