Unique collection from
the Jumpstart Jr. Foundation
transferred
The Jumpstart Jr. Foundation is donating its collection of 25 historical stringed instruments to the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation. The donation includes twelve instruments of exceptional value, carefully selected by the Jumpstart Jr. Foundation, and thirteen instruments from the Sparey Collection.
With rare heritage pieces by makers such as Stainer, Amati, Ruggeri, Testore, Carcassi, and Gagliano, the foundation will take charge of a collection of international significance. The transfer represents a substantial expansion of the collection and is intended to ensure that the instruments remain together, are professionally managed, and remain available to young, talented musicians and Baroque specialists.
The Carlo Giuseppe Testore violin (ca. 1703) from the Sparey Collection, which the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation has had on loan from Jumpstart Jr. since 2022.
From a private mission to permanent public availability
Jumpstart Jr. Foundation was founded in 2006 by Peter Frans Pauwels, co-founder of TomTom, to give young musicians access to period instruments used in historical performance practice. Since then, the foundation has built up an exceptional collection and made it available to Baroque musicians both in the Netherlands and abroad. Now that Jumpstart Jr. has achieved its original objectives and does not wish to become a fundraising organization, the foundation has decided to transfer the collection to ensure it remains intact and playable for the long term.
The donation was preceded by a thorough international evaluation process. The Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation emerged from this process as the most suitable partner. The two organizations have been collaborating for some time: since 2022, the foundation has been managing a significant portion of Jumpstart Jr.’s so-called Sparey Collection. The foundation’s professional approach to managing and maintaining those instruments was the deciding factor for Jumpstart Jr.’s board in transferring the entire collection.
Anne Plaizier, Executive Director of Jumpstart Jr.: “From the very beginning, it was clear to Jumpstart Jr. that these instruments do not belong in a safe or display case, but in the hands of exceptional musicians. With this donation, we are not only preserving a collection of historical value, but above all the philosophy behind its creation: that young talent must have access to instruments that can truly accelerate their development.”
Masterpieces by International Master Builders
The donation comprises a core of twelve carefully selected top-quality instruments, including some that are still in their original Baroque condition. It is precisely this combination of quality, provenance, and state of preservation that makes this part of the collection a rare piece of musical heritage. The remaining thirteen instruments belong to the Sparey Collection. By placing the entire collection under the care of the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation, an appropriate approach can be determined for each instrument.
Manon Veenendaal, director of The Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation: “This is the kind of donation that a foundation rarely receives. In a single transaction, a collection of international significance has been entrusted to our care, featuring instruments that are of exceptional importance due to their sound, origin, and state of preservation. Our mission is now clear: to ensure that this collection continues to be played and remains available to musicians who can make a difference with it.”
Bartolomeo Dandolo Marchesi plays a Baroque cello by Carlo Antonio Testore (Milan, 1727). Photo: Marco Borggreve
Daria Spiridinova plays a Baroque violin by Willem van der Sijde (Amsterdam, ca. 1689). Photo: Marco Borggreve
Continuity for Musicians and the Preservation of Expertise
The transfer of the instruments to the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation was carefully planned, with the primary consideration being that the current players should not be disadvantaged by it. Their loan agreements will be fully assumed by the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation. To preserve Jumpstart Jr.’s expertise, vision, and international network, Anne Plaizier has joined the Supervisory Board of the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation, and Alida Schat will continue to be involved with the collection as an expert.
The formal donation and transfer of ownership will be completed on January 1, 2027.
Baroque gift
In the new magazine from the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation (page 20), you can read more about the donation of the Jumpstart Jr. instruments (in Dutch). A conversation between Anne Plaizier, Alida Schat, Manon Veenendaal, and Frits Schutte. “Right from the very first conversations, we immediately realized we were on the same page.”
Read the article
From left to right: Anne Plaizier, Manon Veenendaal, Alida Schat, Frits Schutte. Photo: Lars van den Brink