Pit Perfect 2026
Announcing the names of four orchestral instrumentalists who will be taking part in our Jerwood Pit Perfect scheme during Autumn Season 2026.
The Jerwood Pit Perfect scheme, now entering its ninth year, offers recent graduates the opportunity to join the Glyndebourne Sinfonia during Glyndebourne’s Autumn Season.
Launched in 2018, the scheme is unique in the UK in treating the participants as professionals from the start; the young musicians work on an equal footing alongside established professionals and are paid for their participation. As well as taking part in rehearsals and performances, participants are mentored by an existing member of the orchestra and offered further development opportunities including one-to-one instrumental lessons and seminars on life in the music profession.
The first round of the selection process is judged blind to ensure a level playing field, with a second round of live, in-person auditions conducted face-to-face.
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The 2026 Jerwood Pit Perfect participants.
Catherine Alsey (violin), Rowan Dymott (violin), Scott Storey (viola) and Lize Dreyer (cello).
Places on the scheme are offered to selected instrumentalists each year, depending on repertoire and vacancies. Since its launch, opportunities have been offered for every orchestral instrument. This year, places were available for violin, viola and cello for performances of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.
All four of the Jerwood Pit Perfect participants will also take part in a number of Pit Perfect Encounters, where they will be performing short programmes of chamber music alongside members of the Sinfonia, inspired by the operas on stage.
Main image: James Bellorini
