Fellowships 25/26
Concerts, collaboration, coaching and coffee shops – reflections from the 2026 ASMF Associate Fellowship Scheme.
This year saw ASMF bring to life a new strand within it’s talent development offer: an Associate Fellowship.
The initial pilot looked to identify two talented early career violinists interested in pursuing or beginning to develop a portfolio career as a chamber musician. The scheme offered paid experience working with and learning from the violin sections in ASMF projects, as well as individual coaching with ASMF musicians and the chance to lead and programme a chamber music concert with an ensemble of ASMF musicians. In this blog post we hear from ASMF’s first cohort of Associate Fellows, Kynan Walker and Anna Mitchell, on their experiences as their time on the scheme comes to a close:
KYNAN WALKER
My first engagement with the ASMF as an Associate Fellow was a patch with two concerts, led by Steven Isserlis who not only played Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D, but directed Arensky’s quartet for violin, viola and two cellos, arranged for string orchestra. It was an incredibly inspiring way to the start the scheme, but it certainly began as it meant to go on, with another patch playing lots of music by Sally Beamish, a chamber project which was a particular highlight of mine, and many lessons with ASMF members which have been invaluable to my development.
I would say I know so much more now about quick and adaptive chamber music playing, having observed how actively ASMF members listen and how committed they are to delivering an authentic interpretation of the score in concert. To me, the chamber orchestra medium epitomises the fundamental sense of community that lies in making multi-textural music and I’ve learnt so much about taking responsibility to deliver and to be daring with this ethos in mind.
ASMF offers an unparalleled glimpse into the professional life of a chamber orchestra musician, refining one’s orchestral skills, but also leadership skills through its chamber project aspect, where Associate Fellows curate their own programme and collaborate with ASMF musicians in their own concert. I have never experienced this in other orchestral training schemes, and it boosts one’s career development in a unique way.
I will cherish the time I had as an ASMF Associate Fellow, for all that I learned but most significantly, the warm atmosphere that the ASMF musicians create in rehearsal and concert; a safe space to explore the music to its most imaginative extremes, with care and passion and a mutual respect for everyone you are playing with. It reminded me how deeply human our profession is!
ANNA MITCHELL
Over the past number of months, I have had the absolute privilege of being an Associate Fellow of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. As part of the Fellowship, we performed in two ASMF projects – one in February directed by Steven Isserlis, and one in June directed by Benjamin Marquise Gilmore celebrating the 70th birthday of Sally Beamish. In May, we also had the opportunity to curate and direct our own chamber music concert at Sacred Grounds – a coffee shop & bar in the heart of Soho. Throughout the scheme, we were given 8 lessons with different members of the violin section, and had opportunities to engage in social purpose work at The Connection (a homelessness day-centre in London).
I can honestly say that being a fellow of ASMF has been one of the highlights of my musical journey to date. Arriving at my first rehearsal with them back in February, I very quickly realised that this is not just an orchestra, but a family. They are so warm and welcoming and are the perfect example of a player-led ensemble. They take such pride in their work, and there is a sense that everyone feels an equal responsibility for the music. I learned so much from watching how they communicate, lead and how clear and proactive they were in rehearsals. Performing in a small ensemble of this size can feel daunting, but not with ASMF. It’s clear that this is an orchestra that doesn’t hold back, and I felt so comfortable to play out and be myself. There is a joy and freedom in how they play that is just so refreshing to be around.
A highlight of the Fellowship for me would have to be the chamber project at Sacred Grounds Café. This was part of the orchestra’s Hidden Notes series, where smaller ensembles of ASMF members perform in a more relaxed concert setting. Sacred Grounds was the perfect venue – it was warm and cosy, and it felt like we could really connect with our audience. I had the pleasure of being in a string quartet with Gabby Painter (violin), Fiona Bonds (viola) and Richard Harwood (cello). It was such a treat to work alongside them and learn from their incredible musicianship. I loved being able to choose the repertoire we performed and share my own musical thoughts & ideas throughout the process.
Being on this scheme really felt like we were part of a community, and everyone made such an effort to make us feel welcome and to take us under their wing. I can’t believe it’s come to an end, but I have so much to take away from the whole experience.
With thanks to Scops Arts Trust, The Fraenkel Charitable Trust in memory of Lilian Blair Imrie, and the Social Purpose Syndicate.