Fundación Jesús Serra, new patron of the Reina Sofía School of Music

"The pianist Alex Arroyo is the first recipient of the Fundación Jesús Serra scholarship. "

Federico Halpern, president of the Fundación Jesús Serra, and Paloma O'Shea, founding president of the Reina Sofía School of Music, signed a collaboration agreement this morning to offer an annual scholarship to pay for the training of a talented young musician in the School of Music.

The Jesús Serra Foundation, of Grupo Catalana Occidente, aims to increase its patronage of social, cultural and educational activities. The social mission of the Reina Sofía School of Music, with its commitment to educational equity and free tuition for young musicians, presents an ideal opportunity for the Foundation. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the scholarship has been awarded to the Catalan pianist Alex Arroyo Luis (Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2006), who passed the school admission exams at just 16 years old. 

As part of their academic and artistic training at the School of Music, scholarship recipients will be given the opportunity to participate in numerous concerts and also in the annual Masterclass programme, offered by world renowned teachers invited by the School.

The Jesús Serra Foundation, in its desire to promote civic engagement, sees this agreement as an opportunity to promote musical education and knowledge among young musicians, and this way support the development of artistic activities throughout Spain.

About the Reina Sofía School of Music

Founded in 1991 by Paloma O'Shea, its mission is to support young musicians in their artistic and personal development and bring classical music to wider audiences. It is inspired by three main values: educational quality, including academic, artistic and management aspects; social commitment, focused on inclusiveness and the impact on society, especially for more vulnerable communities or those with little access to classical music; and continuous improvement, driven by a growth mindset and an innovative spirit. 

Every year, the School provides free tuition to over 150 talented students from over 30 different countries. Students receive personalised training from the world's best specialists, as well as the opportunity to perform at more than 300 public concerts every year. 

About Fundación Jesús Serra

The Jesús Serra Foundation is a non-profit organisation created in memory of Jesús Serra Santamans, a recognised entrepreneur and patron, and founder of Grupo Catalana Occidente. The Foundation promotes and supports initiatives in the fields of research, business and education, social action, sport and the promotion of art and culture, all with a shared commitment: a commitment to social responsibility.