Remember A Charity 2021: The Lucy Gostwick Award

During Remember A Charity Week (6 – 12 September 2021), we’ve been sharing the stories of our Named Awards. When you attach your name or the name of a loved one to an AYM Award, you’re associated with giving wonderful music to the world. 

Today we’re spotlighting The Lucy Gostwick Award for young pianists, which was created in memory of Lucy Gostwick, a talented multi-instrumentalist.  

From an early age Lucy committed herself wholeheartedly to developing her musical gifts, completing all the Associated Board grades in both piano and cello with high marks in her early teens. She played the cello in Ealing Youth Orchestra for several years and hugely enjoyed their summer tours to Brittany. Lucy also kept a diary throughout her childhood and teens and had real ability with her pen, going on to receive an honourable mention from Quentin Blake for a children’s story she designed, wrote and illustrated herself.  

Lucy’s academic gifts took her to Oxford to read English and German, and she also completed an Associated Board Diploma in Piano Performance. In 2008 she played Schoenberg’s Six Little Pieces on Radio 3 in its Pianothon (an event promoting the work of amateur pianists). 

Sadly, Lucy suffered from a life-threatening genetic condition and significant mental health challenges in adult life which prevented her from realising all the promise of her various talents. She died in 2017, aged 37.  

Lucy’s legacy and love for music continues to be felt every year thanks to The Lucy Gostwick Award, which her father Giles established in her honour to support the musical development of young pianists. 

“I’m so happy to keep Lucy’s passion for music alive with these Awards in her name and to continue them with a legacy in my Will.” 

Legacies are hugely important to AYM and the hundreds of young musicians we support every year. After you have looked after your family, friends and those closest to you, a gift in your will could do amazing things. You can pass on something wonderful, you can pass on a musical life. Will you give talent a chance? 

Tomorrow we will be focusing on a young musician who has benefited from this award.