Jerwood Pit Perfect
Glyndebourne’s development scheme for young professional instrumentalists.
The players participate on an equal footing with regular players in the orchestra and are paid for their participation. We offer places to selected instrumentalists each year depending on our repertoire and which positions are available. The programme, now entering its eighth year, extends Glyndebourne’s cornerstone commitment to nurturing young talent from all backgrounds. No other programme in the country offers newly graduated players real-world professional work experience over a concentrated period by putting them straight in at the deep end – the fastest way to learn.
‘ I am reflecting on how fortunate I feel to have been a part of Pit Perfect this year. To have played a small part in Glyndebourne’s autumn season was a total joy, and I know this is thanks to the expert curation of individuals who care as deeply about the real togetherness and collaborative spirit of ensemble playing as they do about the technical standard and musical result. To have been a part of this cello section, to play chamber music alongside members of the Sinfonia — I really loved every minute of it.’ – Hannah Scarborough, cello 2024
This year’s Jerwood Pit Perfect players are: Anna Brown (violin), Bella Lorenzo-Giguere (cello), Beth Willett (viola), Eva Laverty (percussion), Gina Gallacher (harp), Joe MacDonald (violin), Lucy Amos (trumpet), Ross Williams (oboe), Ruohua Li (bass), Samantha Rowe (flute) and Sehyogue Auylakh (percussion).
Pit Perfect Encounters
During the Autumn Season, enjoy a close-up backstage encounter with our Pit Perfect musicians before the mainstage opera performance. Players from Glyndebourne Sinfonia’s unique graduate scheme will be performing short programmes of chamber music alongside members of the Sinfonia, inspired by the operas on stage. Plus, there will be the opportunity to talk to the musicians to discover what it’s like performing in the pit….
Established in 1977 for John Jerwood MC (1918-1991) by Alan Grieve CBE, Jerwood Foundation is a UK charity committed to supporting excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK. Alan Grieve is now Chairman Emeritus, Rupert Tyler having been appointed as Chairman in 2023. The organisation is led by Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee. To date Jerwood Foundation has committed over £112 million to support the arts in the UK. To find out more visit jerwood.org
Image credits: Pit Perfect 2024, photos by Pablo Strong
