as the world ain't square
Douglas MacGregor
Our artist development programme supports a diverse range of composers from across the UK to make experimental and innovative work. Through coaching, mentoring, guidance, and artistic bursaries, we support the development of both their careers and their audiences.
We take an artist-first approach — we listen to the community of composers working today to make sure we provide the support they truly need to thrive, to enable them to develop sustainable careers, and to ensure that they are at the heart of cultural life.
In 2023 we launched our new flagship artist development and young composer programmes, In Motion and In the Making. Read more about them below.
Who is a composer?
We use the term ‘composer’ to describe any individual who creates new work using sound or music, whether they perform it themselves or write for others — and whether they work with software, with notes on paper, through improvisation, or in other ways.
Whatever your methodology, we know that a professional qualification is not a prerequisite for the role of creating exciting, new and innovative work.
We also know that the word composer conjures many (often unhelpful) images and ideas, and we are working hard daily to change that, to challenge perceptions and to reflect all those composing across the UK today.
In short, we want to support you to own the term composer, and to crack on with the most important thing — creating!
Max Syedtollan created Four Assignments as part of his time on New Voices 2019, the piece was workshopped and recorded by Plus-Minus ensemble, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio 6, Resonance FM among others.
Every year we work with a wide range of composers across our programmes. Meet the composers and explore their works
Programmes and Awards
In Motion is an 18-month artist development programme supporting anyone working with music and sound to innovate fundamental breakthroughs in the way they make work and sustain their career. This opportunity includes a financial grant and guidance from accredited coaches.
In the Making is our annual trailblazing artist development programme for young people aged 14-18 and it is the only programme of its type in the UK that supports young composers. This opportunity includes our residential Composition School.
The International Society for Contemporary Music is an international network devoted to the promotion and presentation of new and contemporary music. At least one composer per year has a work chosen to represent Britain through Sound and Music.
All applicants to our In Motion programme who have been shortlisted and interviewed are awarded a Seed Award which includes a targeted package of support, coaching sessions and a small grant. We reflect on and evaluate this Award annually.
Past Programmes and Awards
New Voices was our flagship artist development programme, it ran between 2018 and 2023, and supported composers at pivotal stages of their careers to explore new ideas, new sounds and new music.
Find out more about New Voices and the composers we supported
Composer-Curator was our national touring programme which ran between 2019 and 2022, it supported outstanding projects across the UK curated and produced by composers, music-creators and collectives.
Find out more about Composer-Curator and the projects we supported
Adopt a Music Creator
Between 2020 and 2023 alongside Making Music, we supported 20 composers to take part in this programme. Prior to this, the programme was known as Adopt a Composer, which supported dozens more composers and music ensembles between 2000 and 2020.
This Awards provided small-scale grants to help composers get their new work to the next stage, for making one-off purchases of materials, studio time, software or courses.
Find out more about the Francis Chagrin Award and the composers we supported
This annual Award was given to a UK-based composer for an outstanding new work created through one of our artist development programmes.
Find out more about the George Butterworth Award and the recipients
Resources
The British Music Collection is an exciting and diverse online space for UK-based composers to create profiles which represent themselves and their works. Join a constantly expanding archive of the most important names in UK composition, and take advantage of the unique opportunities provided.
The Sampler is the leading hub for the UK new music scene, bringing together extraordinary activity from DIY nights and live-streamed festivals, to workshops and sound installations. You can list your events to reach dedicated audiences, and check out opportunities, editorial, reviews, and playlists.
Music Patron can give composers the freedom to create new music and connects patrons with them to truly support their art. Our goal is to connect thousands of patrons with the most exciting composers and to channel unrestricted and significant funding to hundreds of individuals across the UK.
Thank you to our funders
Sound and Music is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL.