We are inviting composers young and established to apply to Wigmore Hall for a lockdown commission. We will select 12 composers, who, following the application process, will each be awarded a paid commission by Wigmore Hall to write a new work which reflects their lockdown experience.

For some, lockdown has been a time of anxiety and despair, of isolation and crisis, of discrimination and inequality. For others it has been a time of renewal and reflection, resolve and occasionally joy. By commissioning 12 new works, we want to reflect all of these and many other situations.

Since 2005, Wigmore Hall has commissioned or co-commissioned over 500 new works from composers all over the world. We are looking for new voices in this project, so if you have already been commissioned by Wigmore Hall, then unfortunately you will not be eligible for this scheme.

If you have not yet been commissioned by Wigmore Hall, please apply by following the steps below.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and in particular we would like to encourage applications from female, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), disabled and LGBTI composers, as they are under-represented in our commissioning efforts so far.

How to apply:

1. Please complete the application form
2. Please send a PDF score and recording of two of your previous compositions, as examples of your work.
   If you are successful in your application, you will be offered a formal paid commission to write a new piece, for specified forces, reflecting on your lockdown experience.
   NB Works already written during lockdown can be used as examples of your work, but Wigmore Hall’s paid commissions will be for new pieces, reflecting now on your experience.
   Recorded live performances are preferred, but electronic recordings (from Sibelius or similar software) are acceptable.
   For the two examples of your work, we can accept either complete works or a movement from a complete work (but not two movements from the same piece).
   Your example pieces should have been written within the last two years, i.e. composed since 1 September 2018, so that they give a current picture of your compositional approach.
   All file names should include your full name.
3. In addition to your application form and example works, we require a reference from a teacher, professional composer, or music industry professional. In this, they should talk about your compositional style and approach, and state why they believe you deserve to be commissioned by Wigmore Hall. You should ask your referee to send their reference by email to commissions@wigmore-hall.org.uk

Applications should be sent to commissions@wigmore-hall.org.uk

The deadline for applications is Friday 30 October at 12noon.

Process:

• Applications will be reviewed later in the autumn by a panel chaired by John Gilhooly (Director, Wigmore Hall) comprising Freya Waley-Cohen (composer), Laurence Osborn (composer), Daniel Kidane (composer), Toks Dada (Classical Music Programmer), James Murphy (Chief Executive, Royal Philharmonic Society), Richard Baker (composer) and Errollyn Wallen (composer).
• The selected 12 composers will then be offered formal paid commissions, to write for specific forces. The new works will be premièred at Wigmore Hall in due course.

Eligibility:

• Composers who have been previously been commissioned or co-commissioned by Wigmore Hall are not eligible.
• Composers must be aged 18 or over at the time of application.
• We welcome applications from composers of any nationality. The scheme is open to UK and non-UK applicants.

For any questions relating to the application process, please contact: commissions@wigmore-hall.org.uk