stARTacademy partners with ASMF
Global talent partnership with Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Starting in 2027, Bayer’s stARTacademy launches a new international partnership with The Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF), one of the most celebrated orchestras. The collaboration strengthens ASMF’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent while reinforcing its long-standing artistic relationship with Germany, one of the orchestra’s most important international touring destinations.
The partnership focuses on the development of outstanding young musicians. Selected stARTacademy artists will work closely with ASMF during an intensive rehearsal period, culminating in a joint performance with further stARTacademy alumni like Giorgi Gigashvili and Guido Sant’Anna at the stARTfestival.
Rising star Anja Mittermueller launches programme in May 2027
To kick the program off, rising mezzo-soprano Anja Mittermueller will be the first to gain direct experience of ASMF’s distinctive player-led approach in intensive rehearsals, working alongside musicians renowned for their collaborative ethos and close artistic relationships with leading soloists.
The collaboration builds on Bayer’s stARTacademy’s proven success in nurturing emerging talent across disciplines, providing a platform for young artists to grow, experiment and gain visibility on national and international stages.
Mentorship and international scouting
Alongside performance opportunities, ASMF will play an active role in the international scouting and selection of future stARTacademy artists alongside Christoph Boehmke, of Bayer Arts and Culture. This reflects the orchestra’s long-held belief in sustained mentorship and artistic partnership, and its track record of supporting young soloists at a pivotal stage in their careers, including through the BBC New Generation Artist programme, partnerships with all London conservatoires and the recent launch of a fellowship scheme for emerging musicians.
Whether through our work with young soloists, emerging orchestral musicians, or community partners, we aim to create environments where people feel supported, challenged and connected. This partnership with Bayer’s stARTacademy allows us to extend that work internationally, while remaining firmly grounded in our values of mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning.
Building on connections
The partnership also builds on ASMF’s long-standing relationship with Germany, a country the orchestra has toured more than any other British orchestra. Over many decades, ASMF has developed strong artistic and audience connections across Germany. As part of this collaboration, the orchestra will present a special concert involving community music-making with local amateur musicians. This makes the collaboration with Bayer’s flagship cultural programme a natural extension of this shared cultural history.
The collaboration was initiated following ASMF’s appearance at Bayer’s annually held stARTfestival in Germany, where the orchestra’s artistic approach and commitment to nurturing talent closely aligned with the principles of the stARTacademy. Together, ASMF and Bayer aim to support emerging artists through long-term artistic partnership, an international perspective and a shared belief in music as a powerful force for connection and community.
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world’s finest orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest orchestral music. Founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner, ASMF has evolved into a musical powerhouse, celebrated worldwide for its commitment to the musical freedom of its players and for sharing joyful, inspiring performances.
Today, under Music Director Joshua Bell, ASMF’s player-led approach empowers every member of the orchestra. This creates a direct and electrifying connection with audiences, resulting in ambitious and collaborative performances that transcend the traditional conductor-led model.
Beyond the concert hall, ASMF’s commitment to social purpose is reflected in projects that harness the power of music to empower people. The orchestra has a longstanding history of work with communities experiencing homelessness, and its education initiatives nurture autonomy and creativity among emerging musicians worldwide.
ASMF’s collective artistic responsibility fosters enduring collaborations with world-renowned soloists, exemplified by a 15-year partnership with Joshua Bell. These collaborations showcase the benefits of trust and long-term artistic collaboration.
Building on its rich global legacy, ASMF remains one of the world’s most-recorded orchestras, igniting a love for classical music through live performance and digital initiatives. The orchestra maintains a busy international touring programme alongside a significant presence in the UK, making ASMF one of the country’s most celebrated cultural exports.
