For many years Eric Thompson was a senior member of the Arts Council staff. He also served on numerous music committees, including the Royal Philharmonic Society as Honorary Secretary. One activity close to his heart was to encourage and support young organists who, unlike instrumentalists and singers, have fewer sources of charitable help when it is most needed.

In collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Society, the Trust was founded jointly by Eric’s widow the late Dinah Molloy-Thompson and Professor David Titterington. They formed the first Board of Trustees that also included: Paul Patterson, Dr Wilfred Josephs, Geraint Jones and Dame Gillian Weir. Formally launched by a Gala concert in Merchant Taylors’ Hall in December 1992, the Trust’s initial endowment came from the ensuing donations. The first grants were awarded in 1996.

The Trust’s charitable objectives mirror Eric’s interests. It provides grants to aspiring professional organists to attend master classes, summer schools, or lessons from distinguished teachers outside regular study. Since it was founded the Eric Thompson Trust has supported over 170 young organists – a number of whom now hold prestigious positions in cathedrals, colleges, churches and schools.

The Trust continues to campaign to extend its reach in the field of organ music and raise awareness of its core mission.

Patrons:
Daniel Hyde
Nicolas Kynaston
James Lancelot
Sir Andrew Parmley
Julian Lloyd Webber OBE
David Wakefield

Trustees:
Robin Jéquier (Chairman)
Angus Baskerville
Kathleen Duncan OBE
Dame Glynne Evans DBE CMG
David Graham
Colin Hamling (Clerk)
Peter Holder
Professor David Titterington

Benefactors
Generous legacies have been bequeathed by deceased Trustees Dinah Thompson and Richard Fisher.

The Eric Thompson Trust is closely associated with the RPS, but independently administered.

UK Registered Charity No. 1026344