Works Chosen for the 2026 ISCM World New Music Days

March 2026
Zhao Jiajing © Eivind Sorgenfryd

Today, we’re pleased to announce that Zhao Jiajing’s work FOMO has been selected to represent Britain at the 2026 ISCM World New Music Days. Chosen from the ISCM British Section shortlist, Jiajing’s piece will be performed at this year’s festival in Bucharest, Romania, from 23 to 31 May 2026.

Essentials Fund: Round Four — Applications now open

February 2026
© Tyger Blue (Essentials Fund: Round Four)

We’re delighted to announce that applications for Round Four of the Essentials Fund are now open, with grants of £250–£450 available to support composers and music creators across the UK. Our Essentials Fund provides small grants to enable creators to access otherwise unaffordable tools, resources and support they have identified as being key to developing their practice and career. 

Chihiro Ono: In Motion (Q&A)

February 2026
Chihiro Ono © Kevin Leighton

The latest creator to complete In Motion is Chihiro Ono and she has reflected on the profound journey in a Q and A with our Head of External Engagement, Finn Grant, … Read More

Recruitment: Senior Creative Programme Leader (Maternity Cover)

February 2026

We are excited to announce that we are recruiting a Senior Creative Programme Leader to provide maternity cover for a key member of our Programmes Team. If you are interested in finding out more about what this unique role in the industry does or know someone who you think would be perfect to help shape the future of Sound and Music.

The Sampler Mixtape — Manchester Collective Takeover begins 6 February

February 2026

We’re thrilled to announce the next Sampler Mixtape takeover with Manchester Collective, celebrating the 2025 EXPERIMENTA artists. Across the month of February, each composer will host a one-hour show on Resonance FM, sharing extracts of their own work alongside music that has inspired them.

Sound and Music and the British Council present: Transmutation

January 2026

The New Music Commissioning Programme 2025–26 is a groundbreaking partnership between Sound and Music and the British Council, delivered as part of the British Council’s Culture Connects Programme. This pioneering initiative pairs three UK-based music creators with three peers based in Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries to collaboratively compose bold new work for radio that responds to our shared human experience.

Reflections on the 2025 British Council x Sound and Music Commission by Vanessa Maria

January 2026
"Transmutations" Cover art © New Music Commissioning Programme 2025-26

It’s been just over three months since we kicked off the 2025 British Council x Sound and Music commission as part of the New Music Commissioning Programme 2025–26, and the creative energy feels electric. As the Creative Project Leader, I’ve had the privilege of guiding six bold composers – Yantó, María Gabriela Rubio Hernández, Fahmi Mursyid, Tony Onuchukwu, RIEKO and Yasmin Rai – through a journey of cross-cultural collaboration that spans continents, time zones and artistic disciplines.