- A new exclusive partnership with the Stretton Society to identify, support and develop the next generation of exceptional string players.
LONDON, UK. July 20th, 2026 – Intermusica is pleased to announce the launch of the Stretton Fellowship at Intermusica, a new initiative created in partnership with the Stretton Society to identify, nurture and help build the careers of emerging string players of exceptional promise.
The initiative brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to the future of string playing and to the careful development of artists at a formative stage in their careers. Through the programme, selected musicians will receive the professional management infrastructure, industry relationships, strategic career guidance and sustained support that can make a decisive difference early in a career, but which are too often out of reach at precisely the moment young artists need them most.
The partnership is a broadening of an existing collaboration between the two organisations that supports the developing international career of Austrian violinist Leonhard Baumgartner. Further artists joining the new programme will be announced in the autumn.
The partnership will draw on Intermusica’s international artist management infrastructure, including its teams in London, Berlin and New York, and its experience in developing artists from early promise to major international careers. This will sit alongside the Stretton Society’s deep knowledge of the string world, its close connection to exceptional instruments and its long-standing commitment to supporting outstanding young musicians.
Stephen Lumsden, Chief Executive at Intermusica, said: “There are few organisations in classical music with greater vision and prestige than the Stretton Society, and in creating this joint fellowship we could not ask for a better partner. As several commentators have noted, the economics of our industry are becoming increasingly challenging, for young musicians in particular, and the development of emerging talent is all too often a casualty. The Stretton Fellowship at Intermusica, combined with our conductors’ mentoring programme and further initiatives now in development will help to ensure that financial pressures do not narrow the pipeline of exceptional artists wishing to enter the profession.”
Stephan Jansen, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Stretton Society, said: “We believe it is crucial that exceptionally talented young musicians are not only given an outstanding education but are also equipped to build an international concert career. It is precisely at this pivotal stage that we want to make a meaningful difference. The Stretton Fellowship was created to help bridge that gap by combining long-term mentorship, strategic career guidance, and access to an exceptional international network.
“What impressed us most about Intermusica is the way they work with artists: with genuine passion, a deep understanding of each individual artistic journey, and, at the same time, extraordinary expertise and international experience. This unique combination is exactly what we were looking for. We truly feel that our young artists will be in the very best hands, and we could not imagine a better partner for this new chapter.”
Intermusica and the Stretton Society will work together to ensure that each artist is supported on their own terms, with career structures shaped around their individual artistic identity, ambitions and long-term development rather than short-term opportunity alone.
ENDS