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IN THIS UPDATE:
1. 2021 GRANTS - IMPACT 2. FOCUS ON GRANTS IN 2022 3. BEN VANDERSPAR JOINS AS A TRUSTEE 4. SAVE THE DATE – 17th MARCH 2022 5. NOVEMBER PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS 6. MAP OF PERFORMANCES SUPPORTED BY 2021 GRANTS
2021 GRANTS - IMPACT
Thanks to the valuable support of our donors, a major opera recording came to fruition, 26 short films were made for a weekly online series and a new chamber recital, filmed earlier in the year, started streaming in November. The figures so far:
£179,900 disbursed to 26 ensembles
614 musicians engaged since April 2021
We wished to share this feedback from Jo Gipps, Chair of Early Opera Company:
“Making a recording of a longish opera, with six soloist singers and a 19-piece orchestra, is not, as you know, a cheap exercise, and we are most grateful for Continuo’s help in making it happen. In the process, we have given fruitful work to a good bunch of freelance singers and players. When we asked them, during lockdown, how we could help, they all said, “Give us work”; with your help, we have done just that.”
FOCUS ON GRANTS IN 2022
We continue to make great progress toward our objective of securing the funds needed for our January and July 2022 grant rounds. Total donations and pledges have reached £92,000, of which £62,000 is available for Round 3 and £30,000 for Round 4.
Our key focus between now and 11th January, when we aim to launch Round 3, is to secure the remaining £38,000 needed to reach our £100,000 launch target. If you'd like to contribute and help close the gap, please let us know!
Help Musicians UK recently published results of a survey highlighting the continuing need for support: 87% of UK musicians currently earn less than £1,000 per month, 45% lack confidence in the viability of their long-term careers in music, and 22% are actively considering leaving the industry. Musicians, who now face renewed uncertainty and cancellations due to the omicron variant, need our project grants more than ever to rebuild their performing careers.
Are you considering a gift to support our work in 2022? Please don't hesitate to contact Tina to discuss how you can make a difference (tina@continuofoundation.co.uk)
BEN VANDERSPAR JOINS AS A TRUSTEE
Ben is a Partner at McKinsey & Co. in their media and tech team, working with established organisations to build and scale new businesses. Ben has been working with Continuo for the past six months, along with a team of his colleagues, to help define and refine our strategy for bringing technology to the period performance sector to connect ensembles and musicians with audiences, and to facilitate and accelerate the growth in activity and audience engagement which is at the heart of our mission. Ben is a violinist by training and is excited about the enormous potential of technology to magnify Continuo’s impact.
SAVE THE DATE – 17TH MARCH 2022
Continuo Foundation will be hosting a private event for our supporters in connection with a concert of early 17th century music by Michael East. The performance by Chelys Consort of Viols and Fieri Consort will take place at St Gabriel’s Church in Pimlico on the 17th March. We would love for you to join us, so please mark the date in your diary!
NOVEMBER PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Ensemble Augelletti – ‘Pick a Card…’
Ensemble Augelletti filmed the first of two series of 26 short concerts connecting music to historical playing cards. The weekly broadcasts of each concert, with a conversation about the historical/cultural context of each playing card, will begin in January. More information to follow.
The Early Opera Company – Handel’s ‘Amadigi’
Over seven intensive days, an outstanding cast of singers and EOC's orchestra came together to rehearse and record Handel’s early masterpiece 'Amadigi di Gaula' under conductor Christian Curnyn. Soloists included Tim Mead, Mary Bevan, Anna Dennis, Hilary Summers and Patrick Terry. The CD will be released in 2022.
The Mozartists – Chamber Music Series
The Mozartists released the first in their series of filmed chamber recitals, featuring Matthew Truscott, Julia Kuhn, Max Mandel, Sarah McMahon and Steven Devine performing music for strings and harpsichord by Haydn, JC Bach and Mozart. The film is available to watch here.
MAP OF PERFORMANCES SUPPORTED BY OUR 2021 GRANTS
