Stuart Mason takes over the role from Simon Freakley
Music Masters has announced the appointment of Stuart Mason as its new Chair of the board of trustees, on which he has served since 2021 alongside his wife Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason. He takes over the role from Simon Freakley, who served as Chair for twelve years.
Music Masters is a music education charity dedicated to making music accessible to all, and currently serves approximately 20,000 children across the UK. Among its initiatives are Musicians of Change, a postgraduate teacher training qualification, and the I’M IN Diversity and Inclusion Programme. Mason’s son, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, became a patron of the charity in February earlier this year.
‘Stuart is a remarkable role model who truly believes that every child deserves to experience the joy and wide socio-emotional and educational benefits that music can provide,’ said Music Masters CEO Roz De Vile. ‘He is a superb successor to Simon, who has been a huge part of Music Masters’ story and success since 2012, and to whom we are exceptionally grateful.
’Stuart steps into the role of Chair at an exciting time for Music Masters and I look forward to working side-by-side with him as we seek to bring high quality musical opportunity to thousands more children and young people across the UK.’
As a child born in London to Antiguan parents, Mason himself experienced the benefits of high-quality free music education, having had the opportunity to learn both cello and piano, and to play in a youth orchestra.
‘Every child is creative,’ said Mason. ‘Every child needs the chance to find and fulfil their creative ambition. As parents of the Kanneh-Mason children, Kadiatu and I knew we wanted music to be part of our children’s lives and we also know what it means to have help along the way.
’As Chair of Music Masters, I’d love to give back and lend my voice – to share the Music Masters story and help children in their hundreds and thousands to fulfil their creative potential’
The next phase of Music Masters’ development strategy aims to increase its national impact, by working directly with schools and teachers within the music sector, as well as seeking to address systemic issues that limit access to opportunities and music education.
Read: Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason announced as new patron of Music Masters
Read: Kadiatu and Stuart Kanneh-Mason join Music Masters board of trustees
The number one source for playing and teaching books, guides, CDs, calendars and back issues of the magazine.
In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers. It’s packed full of exercises for students, plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing.
The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.
The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025. This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures, including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana, Gagliano, Pressenda and David Tecchler.
No comments yet