Soon after the death of Wilfred Heaton in
May 2000 the seemingly awesome and daunting task of sorting through his many files
of manuscript music quickly turned to extreme excitement as more and more new discoveries
emerged. Some had lain finished but unpublished for up to half a century whilst other
newer works apart from one or two exceptions were fully sketched but only partly scored.
After consulting with a number of close friends and professional admirers of Wilfred and
his music his son in law Bryan Stobart decided to set up the Wilfred Heaton Trust with a
view to ensuring that the new discoveries were realised - published and exploited
for wider use where considered appropriate by the trustees together with all existing
compositions already in the public domain. So the following objectives were
estalished after agreement with The Charities Commission -
Objectives of the Trust
To promote - improve -
develop and maintain public appreciation and education of the art and science of music
relating to the late composer Wilfred Heaton in all its aspects by the presentation of his
music in public concerts, broadcasts and recordings and by the publication and promotion
of his works generally and such other purposes which would be exclusively charitable which
the trustees may from time to time decide.
Trustees
Over the last 20 years a number of key people have acted as trustees including
Paul Hindmarsh - Howard Snell - Michael Beard - Trevor Caffull and Michael Langham,
under the chairmanship of Bryan Stobart.
Each has brought all the skills required to fulfil the objectives.
At the Trustees meeting on 27th November 2019 the Trustees were of the opinion that all the above objectives had finally been achieved, and
consequently the Trust should be terminated with effect from the end of the Financial Year 2020. The Charities Commission accepted the closing submission.
Over 70 works, many of them "new discoveries", have been realised - published and recorded on 6 CDs -
there have been hundreds of performances of Heaton Music- brass orchestral and choral - throughout the world.
His Centenary Year 2018/19 concluded with a memorable weekend of concerts at the RNCM Manchester, now recognisd
as the finest possible tribute to this unique and specially gifted composer.
His biography, extensively researched and expertly written by Paul Hindmarsh, is nearing completion and will be released by the end of 2020.
This web site will continue to be maintained for information purposes by The Wilfred Heaton Family Trust, in which all copyright remains vested.