Arcangelo announces 2024-26 New Ensemblists with grant support from Jerwood Foundation

Arcangelo New Ensemblists 2024-26: (L-R) Leo Appel, Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro, Jaume Pueyo Solà, Martin Egidi, Francisco Javier Sánchez Castillo. 

First published 3 September 2024

Arcangelo announces third cohort of successful New Ensemblists programme, with major new support from Jerwood Foundation.

Arcangelo is delighted to announce the five exceptional young musicians selected to join the third cohort (2024-26) of its successful Arcangelo New Ensemblists programme. Violinists Leo Appel and Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro, violist Jaume Pueyo Solà, cellist Martin Egidi and bassoonist Francisco Javier Sánchez Castillo will enjoy a broad-based programme of training and career support running throughout Arcangelo’s 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, including concerts and recording sessions as full members of Arcangelo, standalone showcase recitals as part of Arcangelo’s new residency at London Handel Festival, mentored skills workshops, and wider career support including filming sessions and individual financial grants for marketing and personal creative projects.

Both years of the third cohort’s programme will be principally supported by a major new grant of £20,000 from Jerwood Foundation, with continuing private support from the programme’s founding donors and additional multi-year grant support from the Scops Arts Trust.

Founded in 2020 to identify and develop the next generation of specialist period performance instrumentalists at the key transition point between conservatoire and the profession, the Arcangelo New Ensemblists programme has already provided transformative support to six musicians over four years, with participants identifying over 40 subsequent career opportunities and developments directly attributable to programme membership, and all graduates manifestly established as in-demand musicians with ensembles across the UK and internationally. Unprecedentedly high audition applications have led Arcangelo to welcome an equivalently greater third cohort including the programme’s first wind player in bassoonist Francisco Javier Sánchez Castillo, who commented:

“To be immersed in an atmosphere full of new ideas with a professional ensemble such as Arcangelo with leading musicians and with the great promotional opportunities provided by the programme could help me to develop and expand my approach to music. Being selected to the New Ensemblists has given me a strong feeling of self-assurance that the way I have been following so far was indeed the right one.”

Arcangelo Artistic Director Jonathan Cohen said:

“I am very excited at the prospect of welcoming Leo, Carmen, Martin, Jaume and Javier to work and develop as part of Arcangelo over these two coming seasons. They have much talent, and they will find a wonderful environment here in which to work and gain great experience, musically and professionally. Our work will also be enriched by their energy and enthusiasm, and we look forward very much to their participation and contributions.”

Arcangelo General Manager Julian Forbes said:

“This year’s applications proved that the Arcangelo New Ensemblists is now internationally recognised as a game-changing opportunity for period performance instrumentalists. As our ambitions develop and we welcome our biggest-ever cohort, we are profoundly grateful to Jerwood Foundation for their recognition of the programme’s value and impact, and for awarding the major grant support which will underpin this increased work for the next two years. We are also most grateful to welcome new grant support from the Scops Arts Trust, and honoured by the continuing support of the programme’s founder benefactors, Clive Potter and Harry Lee.”

Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee, Jerwood Foundation said:

“I am delighted Jerwood Foundation will be embarking on this new partnership with Arcangelo New Ensemblists. Funding of this programme underlines Jerwood Foundation’s commitment to supporting excellence in the arts and this grant of £20,000 will enable five exceptional young musicians to become part of the next generation of specialist period performance instrumentalists." 

Further information

For further information about this article please contact info@arcangelo.org.uk

Jerwood Foundation was established in 1977 for John Jerwood MC (1918-1991) by Alan Grieve CBE. The Foundation supports excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK and has to date donated over £110 million. In 2023 the Foundation merged with Jerwood Charity (Jerwood Arts) to create a single UK charity, ensuring maximum impact for beneficiaries and a sustainable future. Alan Grieve, who was Chairman of Jerwood Foundation for 30 years, was appointed Chairman Emeritus and Rupert Tyler appointed Chairman. The organisation is led by Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee.

Jerwood Foundation owns the Jerwood Collection of Modern and Contemporary art, and an important part of Jerwood’s philanthropic mission is delivered by the Collection through its promotion of a broader understanding, interpretation and enjoyment of art.  Also included in the Jerwood group of organisations is Jerwood Space, which was Jerwood’s first major capital project when opened in 1998. Jerwood Space continues to be one of the best and most sought-after rehearsal spaces for theatre and dance in the country.

To find out more about Jerwood, visit jerwood.org