Elise Becket Smith has been a director of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment almost since its inception. She has now turned her attention to developing the next generation of performers on period instruments by establishing a collection of instruments for the use of students. An independent body with charitable status, the Becket Collection is not associated with any one orchestra, ensemble or college.

The primary purpose of the Becket Collection is to give young musicians the experience of period performance, thus, not only to encourage them to make it part of their professional careers, but also to inform their playing of music of the baroque, classical and early romantic periods.

The Collection's initial goal is to collect the instruments of small chamber orchestras of the classical period, in the first instance consisting entirely of British instruments, both eighteenth century originals and modern copies of instruments of this period. These will be on loan to leading conservatoires in the UK, usually for an academic year.

In the longer term, the Collection will continue to acquire period instruments, both British and European originals and copies, appropriate to the performance of music from 1700-1850. These will be on extended loan to individuals, colleges and period orchestras and chamber groups.

The Becket Collection is currently at the Academy and is housed in the museum; it is curated by David Rattray.

See www.becketcollection.org