24th February 2005
The PRS Foundation for New Music and The Bliss Trust are targeting adventurous new composers in their drive to support professional development opportunities for the contemporary classical sector in 2005.
Via their jointly funded composer bursary scheme, the partners are offering special one-off grants of up to £500, which can be used by emerging composers 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 27 up-and-coming composers to progress their careers under the scheme.
Former grant recipient, composer Edmund Jolliffe, says:
"I am incredibly grateful to The PRS Foundation and Bliss Trust for their support. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to progress as I have done and to continue to develop my skills as a composer - both in terms of composition and in terms of the work I am able to undertake."
David Francis, PRS Foundation Manager comments:
"Funding of this kind for individuals can be thin on the ground, so The PRS Foundation for New Music is pleased to provide this important opportunity which encourages emerging composers to break new creative ground and which helps new talent to shine"
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
1ST SEPTEMBER 2005
Composers can view the scheme's guidelines and download the application form from /funding/bursaries.htm.
Those without internet access can request further information and an application form from Ben Lane at The PRS Foundation for New Music, Tel: 020 7306 4228.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT THE PRS FOUNDATION FOR NEW MUSIC
The PRS Foundation for New Music (PRSF) is the UK's largest independent funder purely for new music, of any genre.
Widely respected as a refreshingly approachable and adventurous funding body, the Foundation supports an amazing range of new music activity - from unsigned band showcases to composer residencies, from commissions for new music to experimental live electronica.
The organisation, which receives its generous support from the membership of the Performing Right Society, has a unique remit to support all genres of music throughout the whole of the UK. Since its launch in March 2000 it has successfully funded over 1000 new music initiatives to date, to the tune of over £5million.
Its main aims are to stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music in the UK and to help audiences understand and enjoy the new music they experience. In addition it aims to motivate public debate about the state of creative music-making in the UK.
The PRS Foundation for New Music is a particularly significant force in supporting creatively adventurous and pioneering musical activity. Its funding and partnership activities have kick-started many unusual collaborations and projects and helped to underpin some of the most original and interesting musical initiatives in the UK over the past 4 years.
In 2004, The Foundation launched The New Music Award: the UK's most financially significant award for the creation of new British music. Widely heralded as the music community's Turner Prize, the £50,000 New Music Award offers a rare 'no strings attached' opportunity to the UK's creative forces.
www.prsfoundation.co.uk
www.prsfoundation.co.uk/thenewmusicaward
ABOUT THE BLISS TRUST
Under the guidance of Lady Bliss, the Bliss Trust was established in 1986 in order to promote wider understanding and appreciation of the music of Sir Arthur Bliss and to support the education and further education of young composers and students of composition.
The Bliss Trust achieves its aims through the provision of modest grants and prize-giving and by encouraging the programming of works by Sir Arthur Bliss.
http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/Departments/Music/Bliss/blissTrust.htm