IT’S BRAND BENEDETTI!
Violin star trademarks name – to help children enjoy music
SHE is one of the world’s greatest violin virtuosos.
Now Nicola Benedetti has become a brand.
The 32-year-old maestro has trademarked the name and logo of her charity, The Benedetti Foundation, so she can bring out a line of musical merchandise bearing her name.
The foundation was launched last year to encourage children to take an interest in music.
A spokesman for Miss Benedetti, from West Kilbride, Ayrshire, said: ‘Branded merchandise will be produced for the Benedetti Sessions, including things like T-shirts, teddies, stickers, tote bags for the young people participating and then to be sold online to raise funds to support the foundation’s work.’
A trademark application lodged with the Intellectual Property Office suggests the violinist may also bring out a line of musical instruments and sheet music. Miss Benedetti has long criticised spending cuts to music tuition in schools and her foundation gives free lessons.
Its website states: ‘The Benedetti Foundation will strive to unite the world of music education through uncovering and sharing its best practices, and celebrating its greatest advocates.
‘It will also produce a signature series of orchestra-based weekend workshops – The Benedetti Sessions – to address, equally, the needs of young musicians and of teachers.’
The sessions began at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow in January, with the next one due to take place in Dundee next weekend with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Miss Benedetti began playing violin at the age of four and by 16 had been hailed as a virtuoso.
She won a Grammy this year for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for her recording of Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto and Fiddle Dance Suite.