Continuo Foundation opens third round of grants

The Continuo Foundation has opened applications for a third round of grants, offering a further £100,000 to UK period-instrument ensembles affected by the pandemic.

As the new Omicron variant brings renewed uncertainty in the shape of event cancellations and postponements, the Continuo Foundation yesterday invited period-instrument ensembles to begin applying for a third round of grants to support projects scheduled from April to September 2022.

Tina Vadaneaux, the foundation’s founder, said: ‘Since launching Continuo Foundation in November 2020, we have secured donations and commitments of over £450,000 – an overwhelming endorsement of the value of our work helping the UK’s period music ensembles and musicians to thrive and flourish.’

The foundation had previously awarded a total of £260,000 in grants in March and September 2021 after receiving applications from 82 UK period-instrument ensembles. The foundation delivered 46 grants, engaging over 800 freelance musicians and supporting 100 performances and recordings.

In this third round Continuo Foundation expects to award around 20 grants of between £2,000 and £10,000. The foundation has also introduced a new eligibility category for ensembles formed between June 2019 and June 2021 who struggled to give public performances due to Covid cancellations and restrictions.

Continuo trustee, author and broadcaster, Dr Hannah French said: ‘If well-established ensembles have been struggling during the pandemic, imagine the situation for musicians who have recently graduated and formed ensembles, or for established players who have tried to set up new groups.’

Professional UK-based period-instrument ensembles are invited to apply before the submission deadline of 7 February 2022. You can find full details on how to apply on the Continuo Foundation website.