Eminent conductor John Wilson has joined Help Musicians, the 103-year-old charity supporting professional musicians across the UK, as an ambassador.
A master of his craft, John’s work in countries all over the world illustrates the borderless power of music. He is in demand at the highest level internationally both in the opera house and on the concert platform, conducting a wide and diverse range of repertoire. John joins the likes of Bryan Adams, Abel Selaocoe, Chris Difford, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Sir Simon Rattle and more as champions of the charity’s impact on musicians in the UK.
A Gateshead-native, John studied composition and conducting at the Royal College of Music before forging his outstanding career. For many years, he performed regularly both in the UK and abroad with the celebrated John Wilson Orchestra and in 2018 he relaunched the Sinfonia of London with whom he is now performing regularly across the UK. With the Sinfonia of London he has built up a significant discography; his many recordings have received the highest critical acclaim and several awards including, for three successive years, the BBC Music Magazine Award. From humble beginnings to a career path many aspire to, John understands exactly how challenging building and maintaining a career as a musician can be and as such, is a truly authentic advocate for the charity’s work in supporting and sustaining careers.
Help Musicians supports professional musicians through times of crisis and opportunity, helping and empowering them in their lives and careers. The charity’s 2023 Musicians’ Census, delivered in partnership with the Musicians’ Union and the largest study of its kind in the UK, revealed a host of growing challenges. Of the nearly 6,000 responses, 80% reported at least one or more career-restricting barrier making meaningful income hard to build, plus, the need to diversify income streams now sees on average a working musician holding 3-4 different roles, leaving them juggling multiple outputs. This breadth of new, heightened challenges is having a stark impact on mental health too. The Musicians’ Census also revealed that almost a third (30%) of all musicians report experiences with negative mental wellbeing, putting increasing pressure on Music Minds Matter, Help Musicians’ sister charity dedicated to mental health in music. With John’s fantastic support, alongside the charity’s established roster of enthusiastic ambassadors, Help Musicians aims to reach an even more musicians in the coming years, ensuring all who need support can access the help they need to empower their careers.
John Wilson said: “Nothing beats the thrill of hearing live music and here in the UK we have some of the greatest musicians in the world - singers and players who continually strive to be the best they can be, in an environment which is often precarious and uncertain. For over 100 years, Help Musicians has offered a vital lifeline to those in trouble and I am proud to be an ambassador for this wonderful organisation.”
Sarah Woods, Chief Executive, Help Musicians and Music Minds Matter said: “When working at the Royal Albert Hall, I was privileged to see the exceptional talent of the John Wilson Orchestra – bearing witness to the energy and inspirational leadership he brings to the stage to deliver truly exceptional performances to the audience every time. His connection to the musicians on the stage is palpable and extends to the audience, demonstrating the power of music to unite and move everyone within the space. Having trained at the RCM, John understands the incredible hard work that it takes to forge a career as a professional musician; the hours of practising, the financial investment needed and the pressure that comes with it. I know that as a Help Musicians Ambassador, John will help us inspire more musicians in future to continue on their journey to forge a sustainable career in music.”
About Help Musicians
Help Musicians and sister charity Music Minds Matter are powered by music, which is why they empower and support those who create it and make it happen.
For over 100 years, Help Musicians has been working hard to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians across the UK. In a precarious profession often filled with ups and downs, opportunities are hard-won whilst challenges come along all too easily, with unsteady income and physical and mental health concerns common issues. Help Musicians offers a broad range of help to support music creators in times of crisis and opportunity - ensuring musicians across the UK can achieve their creative potential and sustain a career in music.
Sister charity, Music Minds Matter, puts mental wellbeing centre stage in music. It works proactively to help prevent mental health crises, providing everybody who works in music with the early support, knowledge and tools they need, at exactly the time they need them.
