Donation links are at the bottom of this page.
Many of you have been deeply moved by the extraordinary violin playing of Grig Cuciuc who has been with us in recent years. He is the greatest blessing to us
At the start of his career Gerard was gifted a very great Italian cello made in 1710, which if if had to be replaced would cost several hundred thousand pounds today.
In celebration of all of KCO’s years Gerard has created a fund to buy Grig an italian violin made in 1780. This fund was kick started by a series of extremely fine gifts to make it possible, and we are deeply grateful. We are now in the home straight with £30k to go – just a fraction of the value of the instrument. Gerard and all of us would be so grateful for your help. Details to donate below, or read on for the longer story…
In 2025 it is a little over 40 years since an extraordinarily generous and anonymous man in Jersey fulfilled my dream of one day owning my own Cello. His wonderful donation purchased an historic 300 year old Italian instrument for me. “King Peter the Magnificent” is the best cello I have ever played the gift of it is like a shining star in my life.
Somehow the anonymous gift became so much more than practical help: my amazing Cello became the catalyst that enabled my dreams to come true and I was able to live out my hope to spend my life doing something different, something faithful and something excellent. The first experiments began and the Kings Chamber Orchestra (“KCO”) was born. Today the KCO has given over 800 performances drawing communities together around our fun, our faith, and spontaneous music making.
After 40 years, I’m aware that I will start to do less and during the last three years I have pondered the gift of my Cello afresh. Many members of the Kings Chamber Orchestra today have joined our membership from around the world, settling in London and bringing their own dreams with them. I have tried throughout to lend support to our young players to find instruments of their own, and on a wing and a prayer there have been some lovely outcomes.
Around three years ago it occurred to me that as a 40th anniversary celebration I wanted to help provide a really fine instrument for one of our most promising young players: Grig Cuciuc.
Grig came to London from Moldova at 15, on a music scholarship to the Whitgift school, and subsequently won full scholarships to the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy. He performed the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at only 18, and is one of the most prodigiously talented players I have ever worked with.
Through the generosity of just a few fans of KCO in the form of both gifts and loans we managed to purchase an Italian Violin made in 1780, and today we have raised 2/3 of the sum needed to complete the purchase and repay that part which is loaned. I am left with the amount of £45,000 which I am now setting out to raise. This is not a small amount, however we have done well, and perhaps, if many give a little and a few give a little more, we shall get there soon. I’m not sure I have ever met a more deserving subject, and I look at this project with considerable emotion and gratitude.
If you feel so moved, please do make a donation in one of the following ways overleaf. I’m asking everyone to give without placing any expectations on Grig, or even necessarily making themselves known to him. I want to offer him the same freedom that the gentleman offered me all those years ago. My own campaign to buy the Cello before the gift came was quite public and occasionally painful. I am planning and hoping to carry out this campaign with the utmost respect and anonymity.
I appreciate your interest more than I can say.
With best wishes Gerard Le Feuvre
Ways to donate…
An account has been set up to receive donations by Mr Jeremy Sampson ARCM, a member of KCO with his lawyer wife Mrs Alicia Sampson LLB.
A direct bank transfer gives us the maximum and can be made to JJ Sampson Sort code 208513 Account 20016977
You can also pay online with a card using this sump link. We do lose a tiny percentage to Sumup but it is really very small.
Online Sumup Link. https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QMS8ZK4Z
You are welcome to write with questions or if you would like for a receipt for any donations do email me:
If you donate directly you may not get a receipt and thanks unless you also write to me.
I offer you my heartfelt personal thanks.
