Adopt a Music Creator is a scheme run by Making Music which matches leisure time ensembles, choirs, bands and orchestras with a composer for a year.
The music creator and ensemble collaborate on the creation of a new piece leading to a performance, recording and possible radio broadcast. Music creators are supported by professional mentors throughout the year, take part in several skill sharing days and their music is added to Making Music’s library of repertoire.
Adopt a Music Creator is supported by the PRS Foundation.
Between 2020 and 2023 alongside Making Music, Sound and Music supported 20 composers to take part in the programme. Prior to this, the programme was known as Adopt a Composer, which supported dozens more composers and music ensembles between 2000 and 2020.
How does it work?
Adopt a Music Creator is a creative journey that lasts up to a year.
You will have the chance to work with a musical director, learn from an experienced music creator-mentor, have access to wider contacts and audiences, attend music creator skills days, and have your work recorded (with the possibility of radio broadcast). The collaborative nature of the project means that you will build a partnership with your leisure-time music group or groups, and not only will you get to create a great new piece of music with them, but you will go away with greater experience and confidence to work with leisure-time music groups more often in the future.
Successful applicants are mentored by experienced music creators, with costs and expenses covered by the PRS Foundation, and retain all the rights to the scores and music that they produce.
For further information and news on future applications processes, visit the Making Music website.
Meet the composers
Ben Lunn, Florence Anna Maunders, Charlotte Marlow, Lucy Callen, Litha Efthymiou, Fergus Hall and Eloise Gynn.
Caitlin Harrison, Dominic Matthews, Edgar Divver, Emily Peasgood, Hannah Fredsgaard-Jones and Joshua Brown.
Peter Falconer, Robin Fiedler, Georgina MacDonell Finlayson, Fraz Ireland, Joshua Kaye and Anselm McDonnell.
Listen
Recordings of most of the pieces written for the Adopt a Music Creator were broadcast on BBC Radio 3. You can listen to these pieces below and on the Making Music Soundcloud page.
"It has been a real journey of discoveries where I have learnt new and fundamental things which will support me throughout my career."
Featured composer
Thank you to our funders
See also
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.
All applicants to our In Motion programme who have been shortlisted and interviewed are awarded a targeted package of support, including coaching sessions and a small grant.
Learn more about our programmes and awards to see how we support the future of new music.