We’re thrilled to reveal the recipients of Round Two of our Essentials Fund—an initiative designed to provide vital financial support to UK-based composers, music creators and artists working with sound and music.
Following an astonishing response to Round Two, our panel reviewed a record-breaking 280+ applications and awarded grants to 13 outstanding recipients. These artists represent the innovation, diversity and vision that define today’s music-making community in the UK.
Congratulations to:
- Becca Jones
- Boo
- Charlie Knox
- Gobscure
- Jya Raine
- Mali Draper
- Natalie Sharp
- Rikki Lee
- Ruby Caddick Lawrence
- Sam Longbottom
- Simon Knighton
- Sophie Huckfield
- Tracy Soothes
In this round of the Essentials Fund we awarded a minimum of six places to composers in Levelling Up for Culture places.
The recipients of Round Two receive vital funding for various projects to help unlock the next step in their unique creative journey, including acquiring specialist music equipment, attending workshops and courses, hiring collaborators, purchasing software, and covering venue hire for events.
About the Essentials Fund
The Essentials Fund is a symbol of Sound and Music’s enduring commitment to empowering artists.
Launched in 2024, it was created to address the growing need for flexible, small-scale funding opportunities in the music industry and stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to empowering artists, having awarded over £250,000 in grants over the past five years.
The fund continues the legacy of the Francis Chagrin Award, empowering creative talent who face barriers, are underrepresented or socio-economically disadvantaged across the UK.
For more information about the Essentials Fund, including how to apply for Round Three, subscribe to our newsletter and follow Sound and Music on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
About Sound and Music
Sound and Music is the UK’s charity for new music and sound. Our mission is to be the base camp for anyone in the UK who wants to make, experience or support new music and sound to shape the modern world.
We deliver artist-centred development programmes and essential funding to young, emerging and established artists breaking new ground across music-making in the UK. We lead research, campaigns, networks, archives and collections to further originality, discovery and equity within music.
For over 15 years Sound and Music has worked with thousands of music creators and hundreds of organisations to boost musical creativity, careers, cultures and communities; progressing inclusion and representation within new music in the UK.
The Essentials Fund is made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England and the Francis Chagrin Award.
Learn more about the Essentials Fund
Essentials Fund: Round One
Opportunities for Composers
Support our work