Sussex Bernardi Music Group are proud to be recognised for their resilience, innovation and the support of young musicians
The Sussex based Bernardi Music Group are delighted to be recognised for their resilience, innovation and progression of young musicians’ work with an award from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Demonstrating their sustainability in these difficult times, their much-respected Ensemble, Stradivarius Piano Trio, String Academy, Shipley Arts Festival and Leonardslee Summer Concert series were acknowledged for their popularity and deep-rooted community focus. And, reference was also made to their national significance, along with the new music commissions that combined with inspiring originality, ongoing digital innovation and creativity in their concerts.
Set up to help arts organisations recover and reopen following the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic; the Bernardi Music Group is one of only four organisations in Sussex who have been given a sum from the £300 million awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund.
Speaking about the award, Andrew Bernardi violinist and director of Bernardi Music Group said “We have been so very fortunate that our sponsors, Festival Friends of Shipley Arts Festival and so many other local, national and international advocates have supported us through the past year. Their encouragement and assistance has enabled us to continue to bring music and joy, whilst enhancing mental wellbeing for both our local communities and across the world.”
Andrew continued “This grant will really help us to continue to move forward and provide more opportunities for our professional and youth musicians as they perform “side by side”; whether it be playing live as we all hope, or streaming live online. The award will also allow us to grow our use of developing and sustainable digital technology, and support our long term goals to remain at the leading edge of live streamed online performances”
After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this summer the award will also be supporting the Bernardi Music group’s 21st Anniversary Shipley Arts Festival celebrations and the Leonardslee Summer Concert Series, as they transition back to live concerts in the months ahead.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, commented: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”
For further information and tickets for the Shipley Arts Festival and Leonardslee Garden Concert Series, please visit the website https://bernardimusicgroup.com check the festival’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Bernardi Music Group is delighted to have Tooveys, NFU Henfield, Nyetimber, Kreston Reeves, Wakefields and Luxury Cave as sponsors of the Shipley Arts Festival and are proud to be working in partnership with Yu Yuan Arts.
