Scherzo Ensemble is a professional development platform for emerging artists, primarily classical singers. We deliver high-quality paid performance and training projects for early-career artists, offering them opportunities to develop their experience, understanding, and professional networks.

Alongside performance opportunities, Scherzo Ensemble offers coaching and workshops with industry leaders, and classes from experts in programming, marketing, and fundraising. Our programme helps emerging artists develop a diverse range of professional skills and seeks to instill artistic and managerial confidence when setting out to build their careers independently. We believe this focus is necessary to maintain a vibrant cultural sector in times of change. 

We manage Longhope Opera, an Italian Bel Canto festival in East Hampshire. To deliver Longhope Opera, each year we assemble an entire company (performers, creatives, technical staff and management) of emerging professionals. The central aim is to help young practitioners gain professional experience and build confidence, with the associated aims of fostering deeper respect and understanding between theatrical departments.

We are also known for our oratorio concerts which tour London & South East. These are collaborations with other professional development organisations and represent a fresh take on the works, often with an inter-disciplinary element. 

Scherzo Ensemble incorporated as a charity in 2021. Our trustees are Peter Nutting, Hamish Janson, Nick Thomas, Tim Jones & Fergus Slinger.