ANNUAL REVIEW 2013–2014
The winning ensemble, Britten “Sinfonia has had innovation and
excellence at its heart for 20 years. It is a master at partnerships and collaboration…making an ensemble fit for the 21st Century
Britten Sinfonia © Harry Rankin
RPS 2013 ensemble jury
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”
WELCOME TO BRITTEN SINFONIA’S ANNUAL REVIEW 2013-14 The UK’s most consistently “dynamic chamber ensemble ” The New Statesman
The year was one of remarkable achievement for Britten Sinfonia. Our business has grown significantly on all fronts, matched by the orchestra excelling artistically. We performed to record audiences both at home and abroad without compromising our artistic collaborations and, as ever, there was new music, bold collaborations and pioneering programming. Our Creative Learning programme reached 9,400 people through its work with schools, families and communities, and our Academy for exceptional young musicians in the east of England has gone from strength to strength. Last, but certainly not least, our professional choir, Britten Sinfonia Voices, is now a staple part of the Britten Sinfonia concert season. As a mark of this success, 2013 saw the orchestra awarded the Ensemble Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards (the orchestra’s third RPS Award in seven years). We also won an ECHO Klassik Award for our recording of works by Britten and Finzi with Mark Padmore, and were nominated for an Olivier Award for our collaboration with the Richard Alston Dance Company as part of the Barbican Britten festival. This latter nomination demonstrates our blossoming partnership with the Barbican as their Associate Ensemble. This exceptional artistic year was matched by an excellent financial performance. Our turnover grew to £1.85 million, yet the percentage of our income that was derived from our core Arts Council England subsidy decreased from 26% to 22%. We’re a good investment, and we also pay tribute to the local authorities who sustain our work, despite the continued pressure on public funding.
We thank our loyal concertgoers for their unceasing support and encouragement, as well as the many funding bodies, trusts, companies and individuals who made an exceptional year of music-making possible with their generous financial backing. In particular we thank Arts Council England for their continued support; in June 2014, they confirmed Britten Sinfonia’s status as part of the National Portfolio of regularly-funded arts organisations for the period 2015-18. We very much look forward to repaying them, and you, with many more seasons of thrilling music-making. This is a hugely exciting time for the orchestra, and our future plans remain as ambitious and as groundbreaking as they have ever been. For the moment, however, on behalf of the Board, management team, and - of course - our musicians, we hope you enjoy reliving some of the highlights of the last year. Stephen Bourne Chairman David Butcher Chief Executive
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YEAR IN NUMBERS Annual Turnover
Income
2013-14:
£1,850,000 2012-13:
£1,500,000 2011-12:
£1,500,000 2010-11:
£1,200,000
54% Earned income 22% Arts Council England 24% Fundraised income
Expenditure vs. Income • Our reserves have increased from £117,916 in 2012-13 to £176,437 in 2013-14, enabling Britten Sinfonia to plan sustainably for the future.
• For every £1 of public subsidy, we generate at least an additional £3.50.
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Expenditure =
£1,777,378 Income =
£1,852,529
ENGAGING WITH OUR AUDIENCES Ecstatic; totally absorbing; fun; breath-taking; “making the unfamiliar immediate and the familiar startlingly fresh � Audience Member
94
1,350
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9,442
performances in 2013-14
overseas performances
21
premieres
85 182
UK performances
Creative Learning sessions
Facebook fans
people reached by Creative Learning
12,500 Twitter followers
43,500 audience members
51,000 website visits
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May 2013 Apr 2013
World Premiere
A new work by Ryan Latimer, winner of Britten Sinfonia’s first OPUS competition, tours to Wigmore Hall, Cambridge and Norwich as part of the award-winning At Lunch series.
Awards
Britten Sinfonia wins the Ensemble category for the second time at the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society awards.
Jul 2013
Collaboration
Britten Sinfonia takes to the main stage of the Royal Opera House for two nights with avant-garde pop artists Antony and the Johnsons, adding to the orchestra’s growing list of innovative and striking collaborations.
YEAR IN REVIEW 4
Jun 2013
Learning
150 primary school children from South Norfolk join Britten Sinfonia at Wymondham Abbey to perform their own songs based on Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn and strings.
Aug 2013
BBC Proms
Britten Sinfonia has two dates in this year’s BBC Proms season: mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly joins them for a performance of Britten’s Phaedra in a concert of English music, and a family concert based on John Klassen’s children’s book I Want My Hat Back.
Sep 2013
Winner
Britten Sinfonia’s recording of Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, with tenor Mark Padmore on Harmonia Mundi, wins an ECHO Klassik award.
Nov 2013
Benjamin Britten Centenary
Oct 2013
Britten Sinfonia and Britten Sinfonia Voices mark Benjamin Britten’s centenary in style including Netia Jones’s acclaimed production of Curlew River and an Olivier Award nominated collaboration with the Richard Alston Dance Company.
Touring
Pekka Kuusisto and Mark Padmore tour Eastern Europe with Britten Sinfonia travelling to Maribor, Bratislava and Budapest. The programme of English music includes a premiere by Judith Weir.
Dec 2013
CD Launch
Benjamin Britten’s St Nicolas is Britten Sinfonia’s latest release, in a thrilling collaboration with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.
Jan 2014
Britten Sinfonia Voices At Lunch
Britten Sinfonia Voices make their much anticipated At Lunch debut in a programme which features a new work by Roderick Williams.
Feb 2014
Family Concert
Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall collaborate to produce Songs of No Man’s Land for schools and family concerts in London, Cambridge, Peterborough and Norwich.
Mar 2014
World Class Soloists
Award winning violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja makes her debut with Britten Sinfonia in concerts in Norwich, Cambridge and London.
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PARTNERSHIPS Where we work, and the people we work with locally, nationally and internationally.
Residencies and Associations Barbican – Associate Ensemble In only its second season as Associate Ensemble at the Barbican in London, the orchestra gave 16 performances across a range of spaces from the Barbican Hall to St Giles, Cripplegate, from the Theatre to Milton Court. Britten Sinfonia played a major role in both the Barbican’s Benjamin Britten centenary festival and Harrison Birtwistle’s 80th birthday celebrations. As part of the orchestra’s Barbican season it was the first professional ensemble to give a concert in the Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s brand new concert hall, Milton Court, in October 2013. Britten Sinfonia has also worked closely with the Guildhall’s research department on a collaboration as part of their ‘Understanding Audiences’ programme, investigating audiences’ experience of various levels of engagement and the effect it had on the concertgoing experience.
Cambridge – University of Cambridge Orchestra-in-Association Although Britten Sinfonia has a flourishing national and international performance schedule, Cambridge remains at the heart of its concert calendar each year. In 2013-14, some fifteen concerts were performed at the University’s West Road Concert Hall, and in other venues including Jesus College Chapel. Britten Sinfonia also works closely with the University’s Faculty of Music through a number of initiatives, such as its annual Composers’ Workshop. Finally, Cambridge is also home for the orchestra’s growing number of family and schools concerts.
Norwich – Resident Orchestra With the generous and longstanding support of Norwich City Council, Britten Sinfonia has been resident in Norwich for over ten years. In 2013-14 the ensemble performed nine concerts, at Norwich Theatre Royal, the Assembly House, and St Andrew’s Hall. The concerts included lunchtime, evening, and schools events, and featured five world premieres alongside some of the greatest repertoire ever written, such as Bach’s thrilling St John Passion. These were complemented by Creative Learning projects throughout Norfolk, which saw Britten Sinfonia players working with young people in schools and community settings, and young people were invited to experience the orchestra live in concert.
Saffron Hall In November 2013 Saffron Walden’s stunning new concert hall opened, and Britten Sinfonia was proud to perform at its inaugural concert. This association continued throughout the season with lunchtime, family and evening concerts.
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Music Education Hubs
BBC Radio 3 – Broadcast Partner
During 2013-14 Britten Sinfonia worked as a strategic partner with music education hubs in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Peterborough. The orchestra’s support helped hubs to establish a successful programme of work, strengthen communications with schools and other music providers, and design bespoke projects in collaboration with other key regional partners.
BBC Radio 3 continues to be Britten Sinfonia’s broadcast partner. In 2013-14 our At Lunch series was recorded at Cambridge’s West Road Concert Hall for a special week of broadcasts in June 2014. A further two evening concerts were broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Harmonia Mundi – Recording Partner Our partnership with Harmonia Mundi has now seen two releases, both with tenor Mark Padmore. Our disc with Mark featuring Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn and strings and Finzi’s Dies natalis won a Echo Klassik award in September 2014. Further releases featuring James MacMillan’s oboe concerto with Nicholas Daniel and Sitkovetsky’s arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations with Thomas Gould are already recorded and scheduled for release during 2014-15.
Britten Sinfonia – © Benjamin Ealovega
Our work included: • Beat Orchestra (Peterborough) • Gifted and Talented half-term courses (Peterborough) • Impington Village College orchestra coaching (Cambridgeshire) • Mother Goose Key Stage 1 schools tour (Cambridgeshire) • Wymondham Britten Centenary Celebration (Norfolk) • Norfolk & Norwich Festival Minimalism Seminar (Norfolk) • Creative Learning @ Lunch (schools in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire)
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NURTURING TALENT
Britten Sinfonia – © Otis Luxton
Whether it’s a standing ovation at the BBC Proms, a rapturous welcome on tour abroad, an inspiring day in a school, performing new compositions, or playing with some of the finest soloists in the world, Britten Sinfonia musicians bring their drive, energy and brilliance to every situation, inspiring audiences, performers and composers alike.
Britten Sinfonia’s flagship project is a chamber orchestra for talented young musicians of secondary school age from the east of England. Funded by the Monument Trust, during its second year the Academy welcomed 24 musicians who auditioned for a place in the ensemble.
• • • •
OPUS is Britten Sinfonia’s annual open competition for unpublished composers, offering the chance of receiving a professional commission as part of the orchestra’s award-winning At Lunch series and a broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Oct 2013 – 202 applications received for OPUS2014
Apr 2013 – New piece by Ryan Latimer (winner of OPUS2013) entitled Divertimento premiered during At Lunch series and broadcast on BBC Radio 3
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During 2013-14 the Academy; held a weekend residency at the Fitzwilliam Museum commissioned a new piece by Philip Cashian, performed in Cambridge and Norwich held courses across the east of England, including Bury St Edmunds and Thetford worked on an eclectic variety of music, including pieces for full orchestra and chamber groups
Nov 2013 – 13 composers short-listed and invited to begin work on a wind quintet Jan 2014 – workshop for short-listed composers given by Britten Sinfonia and mentored by composer and pianist Huw Watkins Feb 2014 – Patrick John Jones announced as winner of OPUS2014. World premiere of his new piece to take place in November 2014
Britten Sinfonia Academy © Claire Borley
always amazed “atI’mhow much I learn
from Britten Sinfonia players; the fact that they play alongside us has made a real difference to my musicianship
”
Joe, Britten Sinfonia Academy Member
Projects Mother Goose Tour
Beat Orchestra
In early 2014 the Creative Learning team toured schools in south Cambridgeshire with workshops and concerts for Key Stage 1 groups supported by Cambridge Music Hub. Britten Sinfonia musicians worked with the children to create new music, which they performed in West Road Concert Hall as part of Live Music Week.
Peterborough-based ‘Beat This’ worked with young people with additional needs to develop skills of creativity and expression. In partnership with Vivacity and Orchestras Live, Britten Sinfonia worked with ‘Beat This’ challenging young people to create music, inspired by their own musical passions ranging from classical to rock and pop, folk and urban. The year-long project culminated in a performance in Peterborough Cathedral Square in September 2013.
Digital Youth Orchestra “During spring 2014, the Impington Village College Orchestra worked intensely with members of Britten Sinfonia who led sectional and full orchestra rehearsals, masterclasses and workshops to further improve the standard of the group. This first-rate coaching and mentoring proved invaluable and after successfully performing at the regional festival of the Music for Youth the Impington Village College Orchestra was one”
The Digital Youth Orchestra in Norwich provided learning and skill development opportunities for looked-after children. In partnership with Future Projects, Britten Sinfonia, Orchestras Live and Lab Media have worked with young people to experiment with music technology and traditional classical music skills. The young people showcased their music at an event prior to a Britten Sinfonia concert at Norwich Theatre Royal in March 2014.
Coaching Britten Sinfonia’s Creative Learning team work intensively with musicians at all levels through ensemble coaching and on a one-to-one basis. In 2013-14 Britten Sinfonia has included members of Impington Village College Orchestra in their coaching programme as well as gifted and talented musicians from Peterborough.
Music Teacher, Impington Village College
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MAKING IT HAPPEN As musicians we all appreciate “and enjoy the involvement of each of our supporters ” © Benjamin Ealovega
Thomas Gould, Britten Sinfonia Associate Leader
Musically Gifted
music
Musically Gifted Buy a gift and create new music
Buy a gift and
Launched in April 2013, Musically Gifted brings audiences create new music right into the heart of commissioning and creating new music. From as little as £10 donors can be involved in the creative process, by receiving updates and having their names in the final orchestral score. During 2013-14 Musically Gifted received 175 donations which were matched pound for pound by Arts Council England as part of their Catalyst programme. Musically Gifted donors helped to commission new music by the following composers in 2013-14: Sally Beamish Roderick Williams Mark Simpson William Cole Brett Dean
Supporters Britten Sinfonia has a worldwide reputation for its pioneering, dedicated programming and performances. Public funding and ticket sales cover just a fraction of the orchestra’s costs, so to make its creative vision a reality Britten Sinfonia relies on the belief and generosity of many individuals. The orchestra’s supporters are committed and enthusiastic about the ensemble and their valued involvement underpins Britten Sinfonia’s work.
Friends The Friends scheme currently has over 70 members who donate upwards of £50 per year. They enjoy a variety of benefits including an exclusive launch reception.
Chair Partners Our Chair Partners enjoy a close relationship with the orchestra and players. Their annual dinner in February 2014 included a recital by Principal Oboe Nicholas Daniel.
Sinfonia Circle
Musically Gifted is “excellent, it allows you to
feel closely associated with the music and that you are helping, even if only in a small way.
”
Musicaly Gifted Donor
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The Sinfonia Circle is a group of donors whose generosity enables Britten Sinfonia to reach new artistic heights. In 2013-14 Sinfonia Circle members supported the following projects: Britten Sinfonia Academy, concerts in the east of England and commissioning new music.
Thank You Thank you to everyone who gave a gift in 2013-14 Public funders Arts Council England Cambridge City Council Cambridge Music Partnership Norfolk County Council Norfolk Music Hub Norwich City Council Peterborough Music Partnership South Cambridgeshire District Council South Norfolk Council Vivacity Trusts and Foundations Angus Allnatt Charitable Foundation Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust Cockayne – Grants for the Arts Columbia Foundation Fund, of the London Community Foundation Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Fitzmaurice Trust Garrick Charitable Trust Headley Trust Holst Foundation John Jarrold Trust John S Cohen Foundation JP Getty Jnr Charitable Trust Kirby Laing Foundation Margaret Guido Charitable Trust Marsh Christian Trust Monument Trust Orchestras Live PRS for Music Foundation Radcliffe Trust Royal Norwegian Embassy RVW Trust Seven Pillars of Wisdom Trust The Bernarr Rainbow Trust The Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust Thistle Trust William Alwyn Foundation and other anonymous trusts and foundations Friends Dr Aileen Adams CBE Clive and Elizabeth Bandy Sarah Knights and Tony Barnett Gillian and John Beer Sir Alan Bowness CBE S Bradfield Philip Britton and Tom Southern Delia Broke Sheila Brown Sue and Tim Burton Anthony and Barbara Butcher Joanna Camus J Ceybird Deborah Clarke Geoffrey Collens Ann Curran Kelly Dickson Andrew Duff Shirley Ellis Sally and Michael Fowler Sarah Garnier Stephen Green and Clare Wilson Roy and Barbara Hall Davina Hampson Maureen Hanke Peter Hardy Ruth Harmer Brian and Ruth Hazleman Donald Hearn Nick and Penny Heath Mike Holley
Richard Hopkin Prof Angela Leighton Anna and Alistair Lipp Pauline Mantripp P Maude MBE Michael and Patricia McLaren-Turner Roger Mears and Joanie Speers Kaarina Meyer John Parry-Wingfield Maggie Paykel Howard Phillips Paul Cartledge and Judith Portrait Jim Potter Colin Purdom Susan Pyke Judith Rattenbury Ruth Rattenbury Alex and Sian Reid Dr Michael Richards Dr Paul Sackin John Sennitt Roderick and Thelma Shaw Graham Shorter Stephen Smith OBE Dr Peter Stephenson Mary Anne Sutherland Anthony Thompson Christine and Peter Wall Margaret and Colin Willis Carolyn Wingfield In honour of Miranda Dale’s musicianship 14 anonymous donors Orchestra Chair Partners David and Beverley Aspinall Gillian and John Beer John Lebus Roger and Susan May Ronald Millan John and Penelope Robson One anonymous donor Principal Chair Partners Jeffrey Archer Dame Mary Archer DBE Roger Bamber Jonathan and Clare Barclay Dr Claire Barlow Dr and Mrs Jerome Booth Stephen and Stephanie Bourne Hamish and Sophie Forsyth Michael and Penelope Gaine Barbara and Michael Gwinnell Patrick Meehan Mr and Mrs Donagh O’Sullivan Charles Rawlinson MBE and Jill Rawlinson Barry and Ann Scrutton John Stephens OBE Andrew and Jane Sutton Richard and Fiona Walford One anonymous donor Sinfonia Circle Dr and Mrs Jerome Booth Charles Rawlinson MBE and Jill Rawlinson Dame Mary Archer DBE Stephen and Stephanie Bourne Mary Chalk Janice Fearnley Roger and Susan May Mr and Mrs Donagh O’Sullivan Maggie Paykel John Stephens OBE Dr Claire Barlow Michael and Penelope Gaine Two anonymous donors
Musically Gifted Pauline Adams Carol Armstrong Clive and Elizabeth Bandy Dame Gillian Beer Stephanie and Stephen Bourne Lisa Buckby Jean and John Burnham Neil Burns Anthony Burton Audrey Butler Mary Chalk Phyllis Champion Kieran Cooper Ian K Dawson Clare Drummond Hugh Duberly John Easterling Janice Fearnley Sally and Michael Fowler Stephen Green and Clare Wilson Norman Groves Barbara and Michael Gwinnell Roy and Barbara Hall John Hammond Will Harriss G.P and Y.E Harriss Colston Hartley Meredith Lloyd-Evans Susan Maddock Robert and Margaret Mair Pauline Mantripp Roger and Susan May Michael McManus Roderick Mills Ashil Mistry Beth Morgan Trissa Orange Maggie Paykel Ruth Rattenbury Charles Rawlinson Frances Roberts John and Penelope Robson Margaret Rowe Paul Sackin Valerie Solti Geoff Stear John Stephens OBE Peter Stephenson Jane and Andrew Sutton Geoff Thompson Philip Ward H Williams Colin and Margaret Willis Andrew Wingate Sebastian Pollitzer Charitable Settlement The J & S Asquith Charitable Trust 27 anonymous donors And 19 musical gifts bought for the following individuals: Christopher Barclay Michael Cayley Robert Chambers Rachel and Simon Chapman Thomas Collins In memory of Ettore Fenaroli Dr Adrian Friday Louise Gotch Nina Hattersley Martin Herrick Laurence Jeffcoate Branwen Lucas Kit Marsden Sandra Mason Kathy and Simon O’Brien Graham Philips Jane and Robert Pringle Sue Sharpe Carolyn Wingfield
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BRITTEN SINFONIA TEAM Britten Sinfonia
1st violins Jacqueline Shave, Leader Thomas Gould, Associate Leader Marcus Barcham-Stevens Magnus Johnston Clara Biss Ruth Ehrlich Martin Gwilym-Jones Beatrix Lovejoy Fiona McCapra Katherine Shave 2nd violins Miranda Dale Nicola Goldscheider Alexandra Reid Anna Bradley Marcus Broome Judith Kelly Suzanne Loze
Cellos Caroline Dearnley Benjamin Chappell Joy Hawley Julia Vohralik Double Basses Stephen Williams Roger Linley Flutes Emer McDonough Sarah O’Flynn Oboes Nicholas Daniel Emma Feilding Clarinets Joy Farrall Andrew Webster
Bassoons Sarah Burnett Simon Couzens Horns Stephen Bell Tom Rumsby Trumpets Paul Archibald Tom Rainer Tuba James Anderson Timpani Bill Lockhart Harp Lucy Wakeford Piano Huw Watkins Harpsichord Maggie Cole Britten Sinfonia Voices Director Eamonn Dougan
Trustees
Management
Dame Mary Archer DBE Dr Jerome Booth Hamish Forsyth Dr Andy Harter Margaret Mair Bill Thompson
Artistic Planning Director Nikola White
Creative Learning Graduate Emily Moss
Projects Manager Hannah Donat
Corporate Partnerships Manager Claire Murphy
Orchestra Personnel Manager Hannah Bates
Marketing Director Claire Bowdler
Finance Director Adrienne Murphy
National Press & PR Agent Sophie Cohen
Chairman Stephen Bourne
Advisory Council Jonathan Barclay Charles Barrington Dr Nigel W Brown OBE Germaine Greer Charles Rawlinson MBE Prof John Rink Stephen Smith OBE John Stephens OBE John Summers Fiona Talkington Prof Michael Thorne Sir John Tusa John Woolrich John Wreford
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Violas Clare Finnimore Kate Musker Bridget Carey Rachel Byrt
Chief Executive David Butcher
Creative Learning Coordinator Mateja Kaluza
Concerts Director James Calver
Development Director Will Harriss
Orchestra Manager Annabel Marsland
Development Assistant Elizabeth Hunt
Concerts Assistant Roman Benedict
Marketing Assistant Karys Orman
Finance Assistant Elaine Rust Acting Creative Learning Director Natalie Ellis
It is the spirit of adventure that has “won Britten Sinfonia a reputation as one of the UK’s most forwardthinking ensembles.
”
Britten Sinfonia © Harry Rankin
Financial Times
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Design: carly.merrydew@gmail.com
Britten Sinfonia 13 Sturton Street Cambridge CB1 2SN Telephone: 01223 300795 Email: info@brittensinfonia.com www.brittensinfonia.com Chief Executive: David Butcher Chairman: Stephen Bourne Registered Charity No. 291245