Ronald Tickner Trust

Who was Ronald Tickner?

Ronald Tickner (1920–1999) was Organist and Choirmaster of St Mary Magdalene Church (now Taunton Minster) for 36 years from 1963–1999.  The Trust, founded in his memory and to continue his aims, exists to support young musicians and the choristers of Taunton Minster with lessons and experiences which will help them to make the most of their talents now and in the future.

History of the Ronald Tickner Trust

The Trust was formed in 2000 to commemorate Ron Tickner’s legacy of encouraging young musicians.  It exists to advance the study of music by the provision of bursaries to organists or collaborative pianists from Somerset, and also provides bursaries for the choristers of Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton) for the study of piano, organ, singing and other instrumental lessons.

Instrumental/Voice Lesson Bursaries

Bursaries of £100 per person per term may be awarded towards tuition fees, course fees, and sheet music costs, but not music exam fees. In exceptional circumstances the Trust will use its discretion to increase a bursary award.

The bursary award will be paid direct to the parent/carer (or direct to the applicant if aged 18-25) upon receipt of a progress report from the student’s teacher, which will be requested by the Trust near the end of each school term.  The bursary amount will be reviewed annually, as will the application of each award holder.

Applicants should:

• be born, educated or domiciled in the County of Somerset
• be under 25 years of age
• have achieved at least Grade 5 in the proposed study (this requirement does not apply to the choristers of Taunton Minster)
• expect to contribute to music in the community in Somerset by arrangement with the Trust whilst they are in receipt of a bursary from the Trust

Organ Scholarships/Workshops

The Trust makes an award of a year’s free organ lessons for a suitable applicant.  Regular Organ Workshops are held by distinguished, local, organists for young keyboard players.

Further details and an application form can be found on the RTET website: