Our story
Established in September 2020, Continuo Foundation has taken an entrepreneurial approach to creating a new, privately-funded charitable organisation specialised in supporting the UK's leading period-instrument performance sector, referred to in The Economist as “one of the glories of all British music”. In 2023, the introduction of Continuo Connect, a dynamic digital hub for the sector, advanced this mission by boosting artist visibility, simplifying event discovery for UK audiences and championing the sector across a wider and more diverse footprint.
Continuo Foundation
Continuo Foundation raises funds from private individuals and trusts, and deploys these funds strategically through £200,000 in project grants each year. Projects are selected based on their artistic excellence and creativity, as well as their potential to contribute to the musicians’ long term career success and building audiences for the future. Backed by an exceptional group of Patrons, Advisory Panel members, and Trustees, Continuo Foundation has supported the projects of 94 period-instrument ensembles, including 22 emerging groups.
Continuo Connect
Continuo Connect provides a professional platform for artists to share their work, and to connect with a wider audience. The comprehensive, searchable listings of concerts and festivals across the country open access to opportunities to enjoy live music everywhere. The site is designed to encourage discovery of early music and the artists active in this sector, including both established and emerging talents. The profiles of professional musicians and ensembles on the site are enriched with multimedia content for in-depth exploration.
Profiles of current grantees
Click below to visit the profile page of the following Continuo Foundation grantee ensembles:
Academy of Ancient Music
Armonico Consort
Bellot Ensemble
Consone Quartet
English Haydn Orchestra
Fiori Musicali
Fretwork
Galliarda
HGOAntiqua Orchestra
Istante Collective
La Nuova Musica
La Serenissima
Manchester Baroque
Música d'Outrora
Newe Vialles
Norwich Baroque
Palisander
Passamezzo
Phantasia
Pocket Sinfonia
Sestina Music
Sounds Historical
The Mozartists
The Telling
The Vauxhall Band
Trouvere
