London Sinfonietta Academy

The London Sinfonietta Academy is an opportunity for the UK's finest young musicians, conductors and composers to come together and further their performance experience and training. An intensive annual summer course offers rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops and lectures around the specialism of performing contemporary classical music. Each course focuses on core pieces of contemporary repertoire plus a new commission, with sessions led by London Sinfonietta Principal players alongside renowned conductors, composers and scholars.

The London Sinfonietta Academy 2012 will take place from 9-13 July. Applications are now closed.

In July 2011, 28 young musicians worked closely with London Sinfonietta principal players and associate artists, benefitting from the broad range of expertise and advice on offer. Also, leading the rehearsals, was distinguished conductor, Pierre-André Valade, who guided the ensemble through an uncompromising yet inspirational programme of activity.

“I have never worked on contemporary music in such detail and as a result I felt more confident in what I was doing than I ever have done before with new music.”
Katy Furmanska, double bass

The repertoire featured in the course included some of the most significant work of recent years, centred around György Ligeti’s 'Chamber Concerto'. The culmination of the students’ hard work was a public concert at Kings Place, whose programme featured 'Living Toys' by Thomas Adès, 'Partiels' by Gerard Grisey and the premier of 'Insomniac', a new work specially commissioned from Charlie Piper for the occasion.

The London Sinfonietta would like to thank everyone who has supported the Academy this year, as well as those who continue to support our ongoing work with the finest young musical talent.

Participants involved in the London Sinfonietta Academy 2011

Hannah Grayson - Flute
Chloe Vincent - Flute
Lydia Griffiths - Oboe
Vicky Jones - Oboe
Harry Michalas - Clarinet
Max Welford - Clarinet
Lucy Downer - Clarinet
Dominic Tyler - Bassoon
Rhonwen Jones - Bassoon
Amy Green - Saxophone
Finlay Bain - French horn
Tom Poulson - Trumpet
Jonathan Wettermark - Trombone
Jack Alder-McKean - Tuba
Rafal Luc - Accordion
Minn Majoe - Violin
Alice Barron - Violin
Zoe Matthews - Viola
Arthur Bedouelle - Viola
Alice Purton - Cello
Clare Graham - Cello
Katy Furmanska - Double bass
David Stark - Double bass
Elen Hydref - Harp
Gerard Rundell - Percussion
Toby Kearney - Percussion
Alex Wilson - Piano
Katherine Tinker - Piano
Christina Athinodorou - Conductor
Ben Gernon - Conductor
Jonathan Mann – Conductor

The London Sinfonietta Academy is generously supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Musicians Benevolent Fund,The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation and The Fenton Arts Trust

With special thanks to the following funders for their generous support of the London Sinfonietta Academy in recent years:
The Fenton Arts Trust, The Garrick Charitable Trust, Leo & Regina Hepner, The Idlewild Trust and The Roger & Ingrid Pilkington Trust