Leave a gift in your will

By leaving a gift in your will, you’ll be helping us to inspire, enthuse and challenge for years to come. Those who identify themselves to us as legacy pledgers will be invited to a special event during the year, gaining an insight into the Orchestra and its artistic process.
"The goal isn't to live forever; it is to create something that will."
Sir Martin Smith, OAE President

Tax Efficient Giving

Gifts in wills to charities are tax efficient. If your estate is going to attract inheritance tax, any gift you leave to the OAE will be deducted from your estate before any tax is calculated. If you leave 10% or more of your estate to a charity, you’ll be taxed at a lower rate (36% rather than 40%) on any part of your estate that qualifies for inheritance tax.

How Your Generosity Can Help

There are several areas to which your gift to the OAE can be applied. The most helpful bequest is an unrestricted legacy. This will give Trustees the discretion to support that area of our work that in their judgement most merits philanthropic investment.  Alternatively, you could consider supporting one of areas below.

Project Funding

Every year, we curate a season full of inspiring and unique projects. From a semi-staged production of Bach’s St John Passion to an evening of Gilbert & Sullivan, these concerts entertain and inspire. Such repertoire doesn’t come cheap. By leaving a project legacy you will enable us to realise more daring and exciting repertoire.

Education

Education is at the heart of the OAE. Our players are passionate about sharing their love of music with communities across the country. From toddlers to primary and secondary schools, through to adults and the elderly, people of all ages are involved in our programme. Your education legacy will ensure that we can continue to share our pioneering work with these communities.

Chair Patron Legacy

By leaving a Chair Patron legacy, you will enable the OAE to continue to attract world-class section principals. Chair Patrons starts from £3,000 per year. We would suggest a donation of at least £12,000 to allow your Chair Patron legacy to continue for four years.

"We have been members of the OAE family for almost 20 years. We have enjoyed every minute of it: the people, the music, the smiles and the teamwork, all coming together to provide education and entertainment to young and old in the delights of world-class period instrument music. Remembering the OAE in our wills aims to help future generations share those pleasures."
Nigel Jones and Françoise Valat-Jones, OAE Season Patrons

Leaving a Gift to the OAE

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Trust was set up in 2015 to secure the finances of the Orchestra and generate long-term giving. Any bequest made to the OAE will be held in the Trust, which is separate from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Below is some suggested wording to include in your will. If you already have a will, you can add a gift to the OAE with a codicil. This example wording can be used by you, or your solicitor to amend your existing will:

In addition to any legacies given in my will, I give to the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Trust, Acland Burghley School, 93 Burghley Road, NW5 1UH, registered charity number 1159451 the sum of £_________ (or % share of my residuary estate) to be used for its general charitable purposes.

We realise that writing your will is a very personal and sometimes challenging process and we are grateful to you for considering us.

If you would like further information about leaving a legacy to us, or would like to inform us of your legacy intentions, please contact Alisdair Ashman, Head of Individual Giving – alisdair.ashman@oae.co.uk/ 020 8159 9318.