This is your chance to perform in one of the UK’s most celebrated new music festivals! CoMA is premiering a new version of Uri Agnon’s vibrant musical work MARCH in Bradford and London as part of the New Music Biennial 2025 and Bradford 2025.
MARCH is a powerful and joyful exploration of the rhythms, dynamics and emotions of political marching. The piece oscillates between intimate monologue, mass protest and absurdist game show, drawing on musical inspirations from political movements around the world.
Taking place at St George’s Hall in Bradford and the Southbank Centre in London, the performances will be conducted by CoMA conductor Matthew Hardy and will also feature narrator Elisabeth Gunawan.
Who can take part?
There will be two performances of MARCH: the first in Bradford in June 2025, then in London in July 2025. You can sign up to take part in either performance.
We are looking for instrumentalists and singers living in or near to Bradford and London who are able to read 5-line notation to a Grade 3 standard. Players must be aged 16 or above to be involved. Strings, brass and woodwind players will need to bring their own instruments; percussion and keyboard instruments will be provided.
It is free to take part in the project and we welcome disabled musicians; you can tell us about your access needs in the registration form, or ask questions by emailing Sophie at recruitment@coma.org.
You can also view accessibility information for the venues at the links below:
Bradford:
Kala Sangam accessibility information
Titus Salt School accessibility information
St George’s Hall accessibility information
London:
Queen Mary University of London accessibility information
Southbank Centre accessibility information
When is it happening?
To take part in the performance you’ll need to be available for the following dates:
Musicians taking part in BRADFORD:
Sunday 1st June, 2pm-5pm (Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Bank House, Bradford)
Saturday 7th June, 2pm-5pm (Main Hall, Titus Salt School, Baildon)
Sunday 8th June, 10am-11.30am, then 12pm performance (St George’s Hall, Bradford)
Musicians taking part in LONDON:
Sunday 29th June, 2pm-5pm (People’s Palace Foyer, Queen Mary University of London)
Tuesday 1st July, 6.45-9pm (People’s Palace Foyer, Queen Mary University of London)
Sunday 6th July, 10am-11.30am, then 2pm performance (Southbank Centre)
How do I apply?
To apply to take part, fill out the registration form here: March NMB registration form
The deadline for applying is Sunday 25th May 2025, or sooner if all instrumental/vocal positions are filled. If this happens we will create a waiting list in case places become available again.
You can read more about Uri Agnon and MARCH at the PRS Foundation website.
For more information, click here to view our list of frequently asked questions: March NMB Participant FAQs
If you have any other questions, please get in touch by emailing Sophie at recruitment@coma.org.
PRS Foundation and Southbank Centre’s New Music Biennial is a critically acclaimed free festival presenting 20 pieces of new music across two festival weekends, at Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (6th-8th June 2025) and London’s Southbank Centre (4th-6th July 2025), broadcast on BBC Radio 3, available for download from NMC Recordings and generously supported by Arts Council England. www.newmusicbiennial.co.uk