LIVE MUSIC NOW LIMITED
Live Music Now is a UK-wide music outreach charity, established in 1977 by Yehudi Menuhin with two strategic aims; To bring live music of the highest quality to those for whom access to its benefits is normally restricted; To support the professional development of musicians at the outset of their careers, ensuring the highest quality of delivery through a rigorous selection and training process.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net decrease in funds of £36,649 for the year ended 31 March 2025. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £3,657, which is significantly below the stated policy target of approximately £450,000 (equivalent to six months of running costs). The trustees identified the lack of unrestricted reserves as a major risk and noted that the organisation is supported by a letter of underwrite from the Chair.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £70,001 to £80,000 – 1 (2024: £60,001 to £70,000 - 1).” — page 40
“In the band £70,001 to £80,000 – 1 (2024: £60,001 to £70,000 - 1).” — page 40
“The trustees would ideally like to build general unrestricted reserves to equate to 6 months running costs at current levels, in monetary figures this would amount to about £450,000.”
“During the year a payment of £nil (2024: £555) was received from Live Music Now Scotland, a charity with a number of common trustees. During the year Live Music Now also received donations on behalf of Live Music Now Scotland, totaling £nil (2024 £450), these were paid direct to Live Music Now Scotland in full.” — page 43
“During the year total donations of £1,660 (2024: £5,100) were received directly from the trustees.” — page 43
“During the year a payment of £nil (2024: £555) was received from Live Music Now Scotland, a charity with a number of common trustees. During the year Live Music Now also received donations on behalf of Live Music Now Scotland, totaling £nil (2024 £450), these were paid direct to Live Music Now Scotland in full.” — page 43
“During the year total donations of £1,660 (2024: £5,100) were received directly from the trustees.” — page 43
“During the year a payment of £nil (2024: £555) was received from Live Music Now Scotland, a charity with a number of common trustees. During the year Live Music Now also received donations on behalf of Live Music Now Scotland, totaling £nil (2024 £450), these were paid direct to Live Music Now Scotland in full.” — page 43
“During the year total donations of £1,660 (2024: £5,100) were received directly from the trustees.” — page 43
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £60,001 - £70,000 (FY2024) to £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2025).
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 01312283
Company officers (Companies House)
- ÖNAÇ, Rumina, Dr not on trustee list
- BASS, Michael Peter Andrew on trustee list
- CHARLESWORTH, Edward James on trustee list
- MCINERNEY, Peter Brian Gerard on trustee list
- CALMIANO, Lisa Marie on trustee list
- CLEMENT, Lowri Mair on trustee list
- OCKELFORD, George Adam, Professor on trustee list
- MILLWARD, Simon Lester on trustee list
- ELLIS, Vernon James, Sir on trustee list
- FREEDMAN, Peter Sydney, Dr on trustee list
- FISCHER, Janet Ann Nichole
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (13/12/2023)
Trustees
- Sir Vernon Ellischair
- Dr Peter Sydney Freedman
- Dr Rumina Onac
- Edward James Charlesworth
- Lisa Marie Calmiano
- Lowri Mair Clement
- Michael Peter Andrew Bass
- PROFESSOR GEORGE ADAM OCKELFORD
- Peter Brian Gerard McInerney
- Simon Millward
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.4m | £1.4m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.5m | £1.6m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.3m | £1.6m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.4m | £1.2m |
| 31/03/2021 | £971k | £773k |
Common questions
Is LIVE MUSIC NOW LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net decrease in funds of £36,649 for the year ended 31 March 2025. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £3,657, which is significantly below the stated policy target of approximately £450,000 (equivalent to six months of running costs). The trustees identified the lack of unrestricted reserves as a major risk and noted that the organisation is supported by a letter of underwrite from the Chair. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Simpson Wreford LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of LIVE MUSIC NOW LIMITED earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,001 - £80,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds LIVE MUSIC NOW LIMITED?
Funders whose own accounts filings name LIVE MUSIC NOW LIMITED as a grant recipient include THE STOLLER CHARITABLE TRUST, THE VERNON ELLIS FOUNDATION, THE EARL FITZWILLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST, THE LINBURY TRUST, THE MAYFIELD VALLEY ARTS TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/06/2026 | £20k | The Lullaby Project: Supporting Mothers Strengthening Families |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 24/04/2025 | £20k | Musical Memory Cafes |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 06/01/2023 | £10k | Musical Memories |
| City Bridge Foundation | 02/12/2021 | £71k | Grant to Live Music Now South East |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 25/11/2021 | £10k | Including Me - music-making for children with disabilities |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 19/10/2021 | £10k | Covid 19 - The Place |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 02/11/2020 | £2k | "#15 Unlocked (Datgloi)" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/04/2020 | £10k | COVID-19 - Soundtrack |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 25/07/2019 | £10k | The Hopeless Pirate |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 30/04/2019 | £5k | All Together Now |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 22/11/2018 | £10k | Musical Memory Cafe |
| City Bridge Foundation | 07/09/2018 | £86k | Grant to Live Music Now South East |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 08/02/2017 | £16k | "Menuhin's Violin" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/11/2016 | £1k | A World of Pure Imagination |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 29/09/2016 | £10k | "Land of Song and Tears" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 29/09/2016 | £5k | World Of Pure Imagination |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/07/2015 | £4k | Vision & Voice |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 10/01/2013 | £10k | Joyous Celebration |
| City Bridge Foundation | 28/07/2011 | £75k | Grant to Live Music Now South East |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 24/08/2006 | £7k | Participatory Community Concerts in Northumberland |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 06/07/2006 | £5k | Music workshops for people with disabilities |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/03/2006 | £5k | There is no project name available for this record |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/12/2005 | £5k | Project Expansion |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 09/09/2005 | £3k | Tyne and Wear Special Schools World Music Tour |
| UK government | — | £261k | Financial Assistance/Support |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 3 | £25k |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £37k |
| THE CHILDHOOD TRUST | 2 | £27k |
| VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FOUNDATION | 2 | £18k |
| THE ARDEOLA CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.8m |
| THE KARLSSON JATIVA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £252k |
| HUO FAMILY FOUNDATION (UK) LIMITED | 1 | £204k |
| GENESIS AMERICA (UK) LIMITED | 1 | £77k |
Charities like this
- BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED
- Contemporary Music for All
- BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP
- EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION
- MUSICIANS BENEVOLENT FUND
- THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S FUND FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIVE MUSIC NOW LIMITED | £1.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED | £505k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Contemporary Music for All | £209k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP | £630k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION | £137k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| MUSICIANS BENEVOLENT FUND | £5.7m | — | 14 | unclear | — | no doubt |