ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The greatest celebration! Music for future generations
The BBC Proms is a vibrant celebration of world-leading talent — and one in five of the 2025 soloists has been supported by Help Musicians
The world’s greatest festival of classical music will conclude on 13 September, after eight weeks and 86 performances across the UK, from Bradford to Bristol. The grand finale of the BBC Proms, as tradition dictates, takes place at the beating heart of the annual event — the Royal Albert Hall. It promises to be an uplifting and vibrant evening, appealing to classical music stalwarts and newcomers alike.
Another highlight at the Royal Albert Hall this year is scheduled for 11 September, with performances of Brahms's Symphony No. 2, Stravinsky’s Requiem Canticles, and works by Gabrieli. Soloist Ashley Riches will perform as bass-baritone — his sixth appearance at the Proms and one of several at the Albert Hall, a venue he says always ‘creates [an] extraordinary sense of occasion’.
Ashley Riches studied at King’s College, Cambridge, where he sang in the choir. He continued his training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was recognised in 2018 by BBC Radio 3 as a New Generation Artist. He is one of many soloists performing at the 2025 Proms who has been supported in their career by Help Musicians — one in five of this year’s soloists has received assistance from the charity.
We spoke to Ashley to find out more about his journey in music — and how Help Musicians has been involved.
Extraordinary experiences
‘I never intended to be a singer,’ says Ashley, who came from a musical family — albeit ‘in an amateur way.’ Rather, he stumbled upon his talent when he became a chorister to qualify for a music scholarship at school. ‘Then I applied to King's College, Cambridge, because it’s on telly,’ he explains. ‘It was an extraordinary experience… you’re a professional musician from the moment you arrive.’
Despite a prestigious introduction to singing under the tutorship of Sir Stephen Cleobury in Cambridge, music remained Ashley’s back-up plan, as a career in law seemed like the safer option. Thanks to financial support from Help Musicians (via the Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award and Sybil Tutton Opera Awards), doors opened enabling Ashley to accept a scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music and dedicate his life to music.
‘Without this kind of support, performers like me simply wouldn't exist,’ says Ashley. ‘These times are not awash with money, so if these awards and organisations didn’t exist, then the art forms simply wouldn't have a future. There wouldn't be the people to do them.’
The support he received – made possible through legacy giving and donations to Help Musicians – is, Ashley believes, reciprocal. ‘It’s up to people to decide if they want to get behind the arts, but it’s also up to us as performers, producers and writers to make a continued case for ourselves. We need to justify that support by giving people the things they want — giving people extraordinary experiences.’
Ensuring the future of music
Ashley’s career as a singer has taken him across Europe and beyond – most recently to Korea, where he performed a new piece by Australian composer Mary Finsterer. Next, he returns to the Proms after last year’s ‘life-affirming’ performance of Handel’s Messiah. The Proms hold particular significance for Ashley as a symbol of music’s continuing legacy. ‘It brings together the family who create music across places and across generations,’ says Ashley. ‘And it’s rather wonderful that you get to play a very small part in this kind of institution.’
It’s this musical legacy that drives Help Musicians to seek the generosity of gifts in wills, enabling musicians to grow and thrive. From training and development to performance opportunities, legacy gifts — as well as donations — help shape the future of music. They also reflect a deep commitment by the giver to music, the arts, and helping others achieve their potential. By opening a door for musicians now, you help ensure the next generation of artists can thrive.
‘There has to be a certain critical mass of musicians and organisations for this to be a meaningful part of national life rather than a niche interest,’ Ashley reflects. ‘If you believe that this kind of music ought to continue and be present in the life of future generations, please consider supporting it.’
To find out more about how to leave a legacy to Help Musicians, please visit helpmusicians.org.uk.
Help Musicians — a registered charity (No. 228089) and company limited by guarantee in England & Wales (No. 252783)