Adopt a Music Creator is an exciting opportunity for emerging music creators to gain industry experience by composing a new piece of music in collaboration with a leisure-time music group, with the support of an experienced mentor.
Deadline is 5pm, Monday 21 October
It can be challenging for up-and-coming music creators to find their footing and develop their skills in a competitive industry. This project gives creators the chance to collaborate with one leisure-time music group from our membership base of over 3,900 members, spanning a wide number of genres and styles, like classical, folk, jazz, samba, pop and more.
What do music creators gain from this project?
By participating in the Adopt a Music Creator project, you will get the chance to:
- collaborate with the members of a leisure-time music group
- write a new music piece tailored to the group’s specific needs, of which you retain all rights
- work with a musical director
- learn from an experienced mentor who will support you throughout the creative process
- access wider contacts and audiences
- attend music creator skills days
- build confidence in your skills and expertise
- publish blog posts detailing your collaboration’s progress which will be promoted to Making Music’s networks
- premiere your piece in a public performance
- have your piece professionally recorded.
Who is this project for?
To be eligible, you must:
- be over 18 years old
- not be in full or part-time education
- be based in the UK for the duration of the project
- have less than five years of professional practice in creating new music (can be non-continuous i.e. including career breaks or time away from creating new music).
We are looking for music creators who:
- can demonstrate an understanding of collaborative approaches to composition
- can show they understand and perhaps have some practical experience of working with a leisure-time group or community project in any capacity
- have original and ambitious ideas
- can identify why they want to take part now and how they would benefit from the scheme.
Application process
To take part in the project, you will be able to apply via an online application form below. Deadline for applications: 21 October. Shortlisted applicants might be asked to send us an example of a score, and if you are shortlisted further, we will invite you to attend an interview via Zoom with a panel including a professional mentor, a musical director from a previous Adopt a Music Creator participating group and representatives from Making Music and the PRS Foundation. If you are selected, we will match you with a suitable group.
Each music creator-group pairing will then be assigned a mentor who will join you on your initial meetings/workshops. They will act as a source of ongoing advice to both music creator and group throughout the development of the piece, in musical and practical terms and will be available by email and telephone as well as for meetings.
There is no cost for applying or taking part in this project. Fees for the music creator and mentor, and all expenses related to the placement of the music creator, will be paid for by the project. Travelling expenses for scheduled visits to London will be paid for via Making Music.
For more information see here – https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/opportunities/projects/adopt-music-creator/music-creators
To apply see here – https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/adopt-music-creator-2025-application-form-music-creators
If you have any questions, please email harriet@makingmusic.org.uk