Paul Brown Memorial Fund

The Paul Brown Memorial Fund is a charitable trust recognised by the Royal Court of Jersey. It was established to disburse the money raised by the sale of the estate of Paul Brown who died in November 1997. The Declaration of Trust contains these charitable purposes:

to benefit Jersey musicians under 35 years of age (“Young Jersey Musicians”), educated, or normally resident, in Jersey including without prejudice to the generality:
to promote, encourage and facilitate the study and practice of the art and science of music amongst young musicians
to provide financial assistance to young musicians which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the payment of any travel, lodging or other expenses within, to or from the Island of Jersey
to provide instruments, books or related apparatus to young musicians
to promote concerts, recitals and other performances involving, and for the benefit of, young musicians.

The Fund was established in 2004 with four trustees. The late Robert Tilling was the former Head of Art at Victoria College, an acclaimed artist in his own right and an accomplished musician. Alastair Layzell worked with Paul at Channel Television and is now an independent television producer. Rod McLoughlin was the director of the Jersey Arts Centre, later Chief Officer to the Bailiff, and is now the Island's Director of Culture. And, Gerard Le Feuvre has achieved international recognition as a cellist.

Robert Tilling's place as a trustee was taken by Paul Matthews, a keen amateur musician who is the Island's Judicial Greffier.

Since Paul Brown died suddenly, it was left to the trustees to use his Fund in a way of which he would have approved so they agreed to be flexible in interpreting the aims of the Declaration of Trust. Broadly speaking, they want to assist those for whom music is likely to be a career but who, without such assistance, might change course. For a precocious musician that decision may come during teenage years but is more likely to be faced in their early twenties. Often, a really talented young person has to decide between a university course and advanced studies to become a professional musician - with all the insecurities that implies. They may need financial help to buy an instrument that will put them into a different league from their peers or assistance in recording a promotional CD to advance their career. They may ask for aid in attending a 'master class' with an expert in their field or a music summer school.

The trustees recognise that these, and many other, proposals will come before them in the coming years and no-one will be dissuaded from talking to them about financial assistance. But, their overriding concern is to make the most effective use of Paul's legacy.