ABRSM’s composer mentoring programme, Writing for Music Education, is a six-month programme for emerging composers based in the UK looking to explore the world of composing for music education. The programme includes opportunities to join ABRSM behind the scenes, to develop skills in writing to a brief and to work alongside some of our partner organisations. Recruitment for the programme is supported through our partnerships with Black Lives in Music and the Ivors Academy.
We are looking for composers from a diverse range of backgrounds that meet the following criteria:
- Interested in writing music for education settings**
- In the early stages of their careers as composers*
- Are not tied into an exclusive publishing contract
- Have a working knowledge of traditional notation and western classical music
- Based in the UK and can attend the programme’s various in-person activities
- Have good written and spoken English
- Are happy to take part in ABRSM’s comms campaigns relating to the programme and other activities as relevant
*Composers may be in the early stages of their career, or may be emerging as a composer later in life following a career in a different discipline (e.g. teaching, performing, etc.)
**This may include writing music for exam syllabuses, educational resources, school/community ensembles/choirs and other educational settings.
The programme will run from September 2024 to February 2025. We have confirmed dates and times for a number of the sessions already and would ask that prospective composers complete their expression of interest on the basis that they can attend these sessions. Other dates will be firmed up in due course, while the 1:1 mentoring sessions will be arranged directly between composer and mentor.
The mentoring programme is free and bursary of £750 will be provided to each composer to support their engagement with the programme activities over the six-month period. Financial support will be available to cover reasonable expenses for face-to-face activities.
There will also be opportunities to meet with some of our partner organisations, including the National Open Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, National Youth Jazz Orchestra and more. Details of partner activities will be confirmed in due course and composers are welcome to attend as many of these sessions as they like.
The deadline for application is Monday 24th of June 2024. Click here to apply now.
For a more detailed programme outline:
ABRSM composer mentoring programme terms of reference
ABRSM mentoring programme outline
