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ROUND ELEVEN GRANT APPLICATIONS
Apollo's Cabinet
ENSEMBLE INFO
Ensemble Contact:
Teresa Wrann
Email:
Ensemble Connect URL
Year of formation:
2018
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A series of 4 relaxed performances of Apollo’s Jukebox: Baroque hits, bawdy ballads & audience requests.
These will be presented in intimate, informal venues in London and Northampton (Fidelio Cafe, ROSL, Red Hedgehog Pub Theatre, The Garibaldi). One of these events will be professionally filmed to create a short promotional trailer, helping us reach wider audiences and support future touring and partnerships.
Apollo’s Jukebox revives the lively, democratic spirit of early public concerts in 17th‑ and 18th‑century Britain, where audiences could choose the music they wanted to hear. Inspired by the pioneering violinist John Banister, who in 1672 invited paying guests to “pick the programme” for a shilling, our project celebrates a moment when music left the palace halls and found a home in taverns and city streets. These concerts bring that sense of fun, immediacy and connection to modern audiences: part concert, part social experience.
The performances will mix iconic Baroque favourites with raucous street songs, elegant dances, and theatrical arias. Each show will evolve in real time through audience participation — voting for pieces with coins, cheering for favourite snippets, joining musical quizzes, and even helping create short “dice” compositions live on stage. Hidden objects, small games, and playful interactions will make every performance unique.
Following successful first performances at York Early Music Festival and Leamington Music, we have refined the format and observed just how strongly audiences respond to its relaxed atmosphere and humour. These four concerts will allow us to build on that momentum, strengthen our connection with local communities, and document the project for future development. Apollo’s Jukebox embodies our mission: to bring early music to the widest possible audience by making it personal, lively, and joyfully unpredictable.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
PROJECT COSTS
Number of performers:
Instrumentalists:
Vocalists:
Other:
5
1
Project Income (£):
Ticketing/Fees:
Public Funding:
Other trusts/foundations - confirmed
Other trusts/foundations - pending
Other
Income - Total sources
2750
0
0
1650
0
4400
Project Expenses (£):
Artists' fees
Artists' travel/accommodation
Venue - Rehearsal/Concert:
Recording/Filming:
Marketing/Publicity:
Management/Contingency:
8100
0
600
400
0
800
Total Project Costs:
9900
Amount (£) of Grant Requested:
5500
Detailed Budget (Download):
IMPACT OF GRANT
Recreating the lively spirit of 18th‑century music rooms, this project breaks down barriers between performers and audiences through games, voting, and improvisation. It develops Apollo’s Cabinet’s artistry in responsive, hip performance, while engaging new listeners in an accessible, social setting. A filmed performance will extend reach and aid promotion, inspiring fresh, inclusive ways to experience early music.
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