FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COMPOSERS
The PRS Foundation for New Music and The Bliss Trust are continuing their support for emerging composers in 2006 by offering bursaries for professional development opportunities.
The jointly funded composer bursary scheme is offering special one-off grants of up to £500 for emerging composers, which can be used towards expenses for activities which further their professional careers.
These can relate to promotional recordings, travel costs connected to a performance, study at a summer school, supplementing commissioning costs or the purchase of computer equipment or instruments.
The PRS Foundation and The Bliss Trust have already successfully helped 43 up-and-coming composers to progress their careers since the scheme was launched in 2002.
Former grant recipient, composer Phillip Neil Martin, says:
“The support from the PRS Foundation/Bliss Trust has been an amazing help to my professional development as a composer. I’m extremely grateful for all the support towards developing the broader context of my career, as funding these practical aspects which help underpin my writing is often very difficult to accomplish. Thank you so very very much.”
Charlotte Ray, PRS Foundation Manager comments:
“Professional development can be one of the most crucial and fundamental steps for emerging composers to develop their work. The PRS Foundation for New Music aims to make these grants simple to apply for, as well as significant in their impact. Funding of this kind can be thin on the ground, so we intend this scheme to make a real difference for composers early in their careers.”
Sarah Faulder, Chair of the Bliss Trust adds:
“Sir Arthur Bliss was renowned for his lifelong encouragement of the new and adventurous in contemporary composition. The Bliss Trust is proud to continue his sterling work in this field, by supporting development opportunities for the next generation of composers.”
NB: THE NEXT DEADLINE FOR APPLYING TO THE SCHEME IS 31ST MARCH 2006
There will be another deadline on 1st September 2006. Composers can view the scheme guidelines and download the application form from www.prsfoundation.co.uk/bliss
If you have any problems downloading the form please call Ben Lane at The PRS Foundation on 020 7306 4228.