The Benedetti Foundation Announces 2023 Baroque Virtual Sessions

Led by violinist Nicola Benedetti, the program will feature Baroque specialists and masterclasses for all musicians from October 2–13, 2023

The Benedetti Foundation was created in 2019 by Scottish violinist and music education advocate Nicola Benedetti, enriching the UK’s education communities through group music training.

Its annual Baroque Virtual Sessions is open to musicians of all ages and levels, and specifically targets areas of the UK where high-quality music education experiences are often restricted and under-resourced due to geographical or financial barriers. 

The program will be led by internationally acclaimed specialists including percussionist Adrian Bending; keyboardist Steven Devine; lutists Thomas Dunford and Elizabeth Kenny; violist Clifton Harrison; violinists Margaret Faultless and Alina Ibragimova; and cellist David Watkin.

More featured artists include three members of Il Pomo D’oro: violinists Zelfira Valova and Edson Scheid, and theorbo player Miguel Rincón Rodriguez.

Within the Baroque Virtual Sessions running from October 2–13, 2023, the live online sessions will take place on October 7 and 8 via Zoom. 

Participants can join as many sessions as they wish, and all sessions will be recorded and available to watch back within three months. 

To apply for the program, click here. Registrations by October 5 will receive information ahead of the live weekend which involves a fee of £15 per person. Bursaries are also available for equal accessibility. 

Additionally, as part of the sessions, Benedetti and global music agency Askonas Holt are offering the opportunity for an early career baroque violinist to win a place with the Benedetti Baroque Orchestra as an orchestra member for its inaugural tour of Asia in 2024. 

For more information, click here. The application deadline for the competition is September 20, 2023. The winner will be announced on October 13, 2023 — the final day of the Baroque Virtual Sessions. 

“The music of the baroque era is so deeply invigorating, energy-giving, freeing, grounding and moving and is full of stories we can all relate to,” said Benedetti. “I cannot wait to tour Asia with the wonderful freelance musicians in the Benedetti Baroque Orchestra and I am very excited for an early career baroque violinist to win the chance to join us. I hope this competition will offer someone a memorable and invigorating experience at the start of their career.”

A trailer for the Baroque Virtual Sessions can be viewed below.