Andrew Lloyd Webber raises half a million pounds for music education programme after selling wine collection

The final bottles from the private wine collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber have raised £517,910 for the the Music in Secondary Schools Trust following an online sale at Christie’s.

Final Treasures from the Wine Cellar of Andrew Lloyd Webber was 100 per cent sold and achieved 134 per cent of its total value estimate. The auction attracted registrants from 28 countries, with bidding split across EMEA (59 per cent), APAC (23 per cent) and the Americas (18 per cent).

All proceeds from the sale will support the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme, administered by the Music in Secondary Schools Trust, which provides free instruments, weekly tuition and a classical music curriculum to students in disadvantaged schools. The programme has supported nearly 30,000 students to date, with the latest fundraising total set to allow a further 4,000 students to take part.

The highest-selling lot was three bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 2005, which achieved £45,000. Six bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche 2005 followed at £40,000.

Lloyd Webber, who detailed his experiences with alcoholism in an interview earlier this year, said he was “absolutely delighted” that the sale had raised more than half a million pounds for the programme. He added: “The beneficial power of music education in schools has long proved to be a no-brainer. Quite simply, music empowers young people. From academic achievement to solving social behaviour and mental health issues, the benefits to the whole community, not just the young students, are demonstrably proven.”

Lloyd Webber also criticised those in power about their approach to music in education, saying: “Successive UK governments persistently refuse to invest in a programme whose proven social and financial benefit to the nation is manifest. Vague platitudes get muttered by the present regime, but platitudes are about all they amount to.

“My programme gives each child a free musical instrument and a weekly music lesson. It is administered by the Music in Secondary Schools Trust whose expertise and dedication in this area is unrivalled.

“Every child has the right to music education. I would suggest that you vote for a party that guarantees this to kids in the local elections. But sadly I fear you won’t find one on your ballot paper. It’s time for everyone to say enough is enough.”

Rachel Landon, chief executive of the Music in Secondary Schools Trust, said the funds would enable the charity to expand its reach at a crucial time, with a target of supporting more than 50,000 students by 2028 and over 140 schools currently on its waiting list.