The Laurie Holloway Music Foundation

Inspired by the incredible legacy of pianist, composer, and musical director Laurie Holloway, The Laurie Holloway Music Foundation is dedicated to providing young people with the opportunities to discover, learn, and perform music. Our mission is to inspire the next generation of musicians through high-quality live music concerts, workshops, and performance opportunities.

Our work allows young artists to develop their passion for music in a supportive, inspiring environment—and we need your help to continue and expand our efforts.

Join Us in Empowering Young Musicians

Your support is crucial to our mission. By donating today, you can help create opportunities for young people to explore their musical talents, connect with professionals, and take the stage. Whether you can give £10 or £100, every contribution makes a difference.

Together, we can help young voices and instruments shine.

Donate Now and Make a Difference!

• £10 – Pays for 1 concert ticket for a young musician
• £25 – Covers the cost of one month’s instrument rental
• £50 – Provides workshop access for a budding musician
• £100 – Covers the cost of 4 instrumental music lessons
• £500 – Provides workshop access for 10 young musicians
• £1,000 – Covers the cost of one concert performance, including venue and equipment
• £2,500 – Funds a full series of workshops and performances for 30 young artists

Set Up Regular Giving Options

• £10/month – Provides ongoing access to workshops for one young musician
• £25/month – Supports a young musician’s instrument rental and tuition

A word from Julia Bentley-Dawkes, our Foundation founder

I first had the pleasure of meeting Laurie and his late wife, the Jazz singer Marion Montgomery, while studying at Music College in Leeds. They had recently founded the Montgomery Holloway Music Trust, an initiative aimed at helping aspiring young musicians and singers connect with professional musicians. At 19 years old, I was asked to join the committee. Laurie truly understood the value of fresh perspectives, and although I was the youngest member by at least 30 years, he made me feel completely welcomed and valued. Juggling meetings alongside work and young children was often challenging, but I stayed committed to the charity until it sadly disbanded in 2021. The remaining funds were thoughtfully allocated to incredible organisations like Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Taplow Youth Choirs, and most notably, Concertini, a family-friendly concert series I launched in 2015. This support allowed us to feature brilliant artists like YolanDa Brown, The Brass Funkeys, and Stringfever, creating unforgettable experiences for everyone involved!

Beyond my work with MHMT, I was also fortunate to perform with Laurie on numerous occasions, particularly with the Holloway Chamber Orchestra, which Laurie established to showcase his own compositions in a small ensemble format. One of my fondest memories is premiering a piece Laurie originally wrote for the legendary James Galway. He even created jazzy accompaniments for simple folk songs I used to teach my flute students.

Laurie was not only an extraordinary musician, composer, and musical director, but he was also a true gentleman. His kindness and willingness to generously give his time left a lasting impression on everyone who crossed his path. He had an amazing knack for remembering names, making every person feel like a lifelong friend. Additionally, his humility shone through, even when sharing stories about working with showbiz legends —he did so with an infectious enthusiasm that inspired those around him.

Laurie’s spirit, talent, and warmth will forever resonate with all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

Laurie's legacy has inspired me to create The Laurie Holloway Music Foundation, an organisation committed to creating, inspiring, and supporting young musicians continuing the cycle of mentorship and opportunity for the next generation of musicians.

Julia Bentley-Dawkes

Our Mission:

The Laurie Holloway Music Foundation aims to create transformative musical experiences for young people, providing young musicians and singers the opportunity to learn, perform, and develop under the guidance of professional musicians. We aim to provide young musicians with access to:

• Concerts & Performances: A chance for young musicians to perform live and connect with an audience.
• Workshops & Masterclasses: Opportunities to learn from professional musicians, explore new techniques, and develop their skills.
• Mentorship & Networking: Building relationships with music professionals who can offer guidance and inspiration as young musicians pursue their dreams.
• Live Music Performances: Opportunities for young people to be inspired by top-quality live music performed by professional musicians.
• Instruments & Scholarships: Providing young musicians with the instruments, tuition, and travel funds they need to participate in our programmes.

How Your Generosity Will Make a Difference

Your donations will help fund these valuable programmes, allowing us to provide young people with the chance to explore their musical passions. With your support, we can:

• Organise more concerts and performance events
• Offer scholarships for workshop participation and instrument rentals
• Expand our outreach to bring music to even more young people

Every donation—whether big or small—helps us continue to offer opportunities that allow young musicians to shine. With your support, we can ensure that EVERY child who dreams of playing an instrument or singing can have the tools and guidance to make it a reality. Together, we can ensure that the future of live music is bright, giving the next generation of musicians the tools, guidance, and platforms, they need to succeed.