Julia Rausing Trust grant gives £90,000 boost to Early Music across the UK

Continuo Foundation has received a £90,000 grant from The Julia Rausing Trust. The three-year grant is a significant endorsement of Continuo’s role in strengthening the UK’s Early Music sector, supporting period-instrument ensembles, freelance musicians and audience development across the country.

The funding will help sustain two core areas of Continuo’s work: its twice-yearly project grants programme, which enables ensembles to research, rehearse, tour and perform ambitious projects, and Continuo Connect, its online hub for Early Music concerts, artists and festivals.

The award comes at a time when many Early Music ensembles are facing rising costs, reduced touring opportunities and a difficult funding environment. By supporting Continuo’s core activity, the grant will help artists bring historically informed performance to more audiences across the UK, including in areas with limited access to live classical music.

Continuo has become one of the most visible sources of support and promotion of the UK Early Music sector since its founding in 2020. Its grants have backed projects by professional period-instrument ensembles across the country, while Continuo Connect has developed as a national platform for audiences to discover concerts, festivals, artist profiles and editorial features.

The Julia Rausing Trust’s support recognises the importance of the UK’s Early Music sector as part of the country’s wider musical heritage, and the role Continuo plays in helping it to flourish — from backing underperformed repertoire to improving visibility for artists, festivals and venues.

The grant will also help Continuo expand its mentoring and practical support for musicians, including audience development, partnership-building and touring opportunities. A key part of this work will focus on creating more chances for artists to reach audiences beyond established centres by developing a wider UK touring network for Early Music.

Tina Vadaneaux, Founder and CEO of Continuo Foundation, said: 'We are very grateful to The Julia Rausing Trust for supporting the continuity of the UK Early Music sector. This generous grant will enable us to help musicians share the richness of our music heritage with more people in more places. We hope this endorsement will inspire further collaborations with funders wishing to make an impact in this area.'

Anne Dodwell, Programme Director, Arts & Heritage at The Julia Rausing Trust, said: 'We know that emerging Early Music artists find it difficult to sustain their professional practice and research underperformed repertoire without external funding, so we are pleased to support the Continuo Foundation over the next three years to champion the Early Music sector, upholding artistic excellence and providing a platform for promotion through Continuo Connect.'

To learn more about The Julia Rausing Trust, visit their website. Find a concert near you on our What's On page.