20 UK Composer Schemes
Getting the ball rolling as a composer can be challenging but thankfully, many organisations recognise this. As such, here are a selection of UK composer schemes on offer throughout the year. These range from schemes tailored towards those looking for the first step on the professional ladder, a creative tangent away from their current practice, and for those looking to work with a larger musical force. For current callouts and competitions, visit our opportunities hub.
London Symphony Orchestra
Guided by renowned composers Colin Matthews and support from Christian Mason, this scheme enables composers to experiment with and develop their orchestral writing skills by creating a three-minute composition over twelve months. The resulting compositions are performed by the LSO, and discussed in a public workshop at the culmination of the scheme. Two of the compositions are then chosen to be developed further, with commissions given for five and ten-minute works to be premiered by the orchestra in an LSO concert at the Barbican.
PoppyHarp
This project involves up to 5 mentor sessions for each composer where they will learn about the harp and how to ensure their piece reflects their unique style whilst complimenting the instrument. Finished (or near-finished) works for solo harp, harp duo or harp ensemble are judged and chosen by a panel of harpists with eight being chosen. The scheme concludes with a video of the finished composition on the PoppyHarp YouTube channel and, if the composer chooses, the option to explore their music being published.
Royal Philharmonic Society
Usually granting around seven commissions for a chamber or solo work, this programme offers mentoring sessions throughout the year designed to establish good footings in the music profession and network for the future. With previous cohorts writing for Cheltenham Music Festival, Hebrides Ensemble, The Hermes Experiment (to name a few), the programme concludes with a performance with the selected ensemble, venue or festival in the UK.
Three Choirs Festival
A freshly-launched development scheme devoted to choral music hosted by the Three Choirs Festival, this scheme offers four ‘springboard’ places and up to 12 ‘sandbox’ places for composers at the start of their professional careers. It provides workshops, a showcase, recording, networking opportunities alongside panel discussions and sessions on the practicalities and business of composition. Concert and rehearsal access and discussion time is also included to best serve today’s early-career composers. Springboard composers will also receive a repeat performance of their work at Spitalfields Music Festival.
Britten Sinfonia
Designed to be a first step on the ladder for those who have not taken part in similar schemes before, Opus 1 offers the chance to work with musicians and mentors to develop skills as a music creator. Once eight composers are selected, they receive the opportunity to write for a group of Britten Sinfonia musicians and take part in workshops, concerts as well as a day to record their work.
London Sinfonietta
This scheme is designed to develop a new performance idea that can be realised by a small ensemble with up to six London Sinfonietta musicians whilst recognising their on-going wish to challenge the status quo and champion change within the industry. With interest in seeking relationships with artists from non-classical backgrounds and music creators from historically under-represented groups or communities, this project seeks ideas which would expand the possibilities for a contemporary music ensemble, reflecting the evolving role an ensemble has in the creative arts during the 21st Century.
ABRSM
Providing emerging composers with opportunities to develop their skills in writing to a brief, exam syllabuses and within broader educational contexts, successful applicants receive dedicated mentoring from leading educational composers as well as specialist support from educators and ABRSM staff as they complete a series of compositional tasks. Participants also benefit from opportunities to establish connections with our partner organisations, including the National Open Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, Royal Philharmonic Society and others.
Britten Pears Arts
Founded in 1972 by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, it continues to offer early career professional musicians the opportunity for high-level performance training by the world’s finest performers, teachers and creatives. The scheme is an opportunity to further refine their skills and gain valuable input from industry professionals. Young Artists become part of their family of artists, and could include future opportunities within performance, artist development and community-based projects on a case-by-case basis.
London Symphony Orchestra
Jerwood+ supports early-career composers in planning and delivering two artistic projects. Composers gain valuable knowledge and practical experience to develop their own opportunities and careers thanks to the Jerwood Developing Artists Fund. Two composers each year are selected for a 15-month placement where they are mentored by LSO staff and encouraged to develop entrepreneurial skills around programming for specific audiences, planning, marketing, budgeting, fundraising and evaluation. Successful applicants have access to composition workshops and mentoring with other composers, industry professionals and musicians to develop their artistic practice.
Philharmonia Orchestra
This is a programme for musicians from diverse backgrounds who are looking for the opportunity to develop their skills as composers and to create a new 10-minute piece as part of the Philharmonia’s Music of Today series. Offering a series of masterclasses and workshops covering advanced composition technique, industry insights, 1:1 support from a Composer’s Academy mentor, dedicated rehearsal time as well as a performance at Royal Festival Hall, London and a professional recording released through NMC recordings.
National Youth Choir
National Youth Choir offers a one-year bespoke training programme built around each successful applicant. With four places available, each composer will work with professional composer-mentors, alongside partners at Dorico, Stainer & Bell, ABRSM, NMC Recordings and Britten Pears Arts, and write new works for the National Youth Choirs.
Nonclassical
Designed to support composers looking to take the next step in their career, AiR provides artists with the opportunity to showcase their music through events and releases as well as furthering their professional development through workshops and mentoring. Open to unsigned and unpublished artists who display exceptional ability and potential, selected composers have the opportunity to receive paid commissions, recording sessions, support for selected applicants with no classical training as well as mentoring, training and coaching sessions from established composers and industry figures.
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mentored by LPO’s Composer-in-Residence, selected composers spend a season with LPO creating a new work for chamber orchestra performed by Foyle Future First musicians alongside LPO players at a public showcase at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Along with seminars and workshops, composers also have the chance to attend the respective season’s rehearsals and subsequent concerts, meet guest composers and get involved with their wider educational work.
Royal Scotland National Orchestra
Offering five UK-based composers in the early stages of their career hands-on experience to expand their skills in film composition, successful applicants rescore an existing short film while working directly with a professional orchestra, project mentors, experienced film composers and seasoned screen industry professionals, creating a brand-new composition for a full symphony orchestra. Delivered in a hybrid format, the project will culminate in a workshop at the RSNO’s world-class recording facility, Scotland’s Studio followed by all five new scores will be programmed at a special public screening.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
This seven month music leader training programme for musicians, vocalists, producers, composers, sound artists, MC or songwriters for 18-26 year olds based in South/South-West of England provides a career springboard for three talented young people to develop skills in music leading through practical experience, training and mentoring. With no music leading experience required, the programme is funded with a bursary of £7,000 per person and requires a time commitment of up to 10 days a month working around the Young Associate's other commitments.
Making Music
An opportunity for emerging music creators to gain industry experience by composing a new piece of music in collaboration with a leisure-time music group, with the support of an experienced mentor. It can be challenging for up-and-coming music creators to find their footing and develop their skills in a competitive industry therefore this project gives creators the chance to collaborate with one leisure-time music group from our membership base of over 3,900 members.
London Symphony Orchestra
LSO Soundhub is a composer-led resource, responding directly to the needs of those using it: a supportive framework for artists to try out ideas, develop new and existing work, benefit from peer-to-peer networking and connect to and develop LSO St Luke’s audiences. Consisting of two pathways, Members and Associates, the former sees four composers given a 15-20 minute slot to share at a showcase concert and receive support to explore and develop their practice, whilst the latter sees individuals involved in a wider community offering peer-to-peer support and potential access to rehearsal spaces, technical support and equipment from the Digital team including audio and video recording as well as a multitude of other benefits.
Britten Sinfonia
Magnum Opus is a 12-month artist development programme for three UK-based early-career composers looking to further their skills in orchestral writing, refine their compositional voice and gain a deeper understanding of orchestral management. This opportunity offers writing a piece of chamber music followed by a chamber concerto to be performed across two concert programmes. Those who are keen to apply should not only be composers, but also well-rounded creative individuals.
Sound and Music
Supporting 10 composers to design and undertake their own creative and professional journey, this 18-month artist development programme will develop a composer’s practice, explore new contexts and create a new work to present to an audience whilst supporting the next generation of young creators as part of their ‘In the Making’ programme. Along with an artist bursary and access to a production grant, there are opportunities to network and receive guidance and support from accredited coaches from their expert team.
CoMA
A series of workshops facilitated by professional disabled musicians and practitioners of inclusive music groups. Delivered as two online sessions followed by an intensive four day course in London, this scheme aims to encourage composers to work with disabled musicians develop more opportunities, resources and understanding in collaborating with musicians who identify as disabled or would benefit from an alternative physical and/or mental approach to music-making.
Matthew Elderton-Lewis a composer and conductor based in Essex/London. Having studied at Royal Holloway, University of London for a Master of Music as well as a Bachelor of Music Composition from London College of Music, University of West London, he has since gone on to work with Britten Sinfonia, PoppyHarp Composer Project and score award-winning short films such as, ‘The Suicide’ (2025). Not being from a musical background, Matthew is determined to fight the ‘classical music’ stigma, offering a hand of reassurance to audiences who would otherwise be hesitant to discover new music.
