The Oram Awards 2021
for innovation in sound, music and related technologies
The Oram Awards – a platform for innovation in sound, music and related technologies returns in 2021 for it’s 5th edition. It is a partnership between The New BBC Radiophonic Workshop & PRS Foundation to elevate the work and voices of the next generation of women, girls and gender minority music creators in electronic music.
Applications for the 5th annual Oram Awards for innovation in sound, music and related technologies will open to the general public from Monday 12th July 2021.
Any individual music creator, or their representative who meets the criteria can now apply.
Others are encouraged to share this opportunity with those that they think are deserving of recognition.
“The Oram Awards provide important visibility and opportunities for women and gender minorities who are particularly innovative in their music practice. Usually working in experimental communities, these creators need extra support to realise their potential – as we’ve seen from amazing recent success stories including Loraine James, CHAINES and Una Lee. We’re looking forward to seeing who applies this year.” – Joe Frankland, CEO, PRS Foundation
Named after Daphne Oram, one of the founding members of the original BBC Radiophonic Workshop, the awards aim to build on her legacy. Along with other women of the workshop, including Delia Derbyshire, Glynis Jones, Jenyth Worsley, Maddalena Fagandini and Elizabeth Parker, Oram played a vital role in establishing women at the forefront of innovation in newly-emerging audio technologies not only in the UK but around the world.
The positive shift has been welcomed in recent times, yet it is still not a level playing field for women innovating in sound and music. Whilst it would be preferred for a women-only award not to be necessary, it has been decided that for the immediate future, The Oram Awards will be open to women, girls and gender minorities in recognition of Daphne Oram’s pioneering status as an inspiring role model to other women who are currently under represented in electronic music.
In 2020 The Oram Awards launched a six month mentoring program for the 2020 cohort of winners. At a time when all live events had been cancelled, it was extremely important to offer one to one support from like minded artists, engineers and industry professionals.
“This new initiative has been a resounding success with both mentors and mentees benefiting from the monthly sessions as a time to share practical expertise as well as nurturing new approaches, friendships and connections”
Karen Sutton, Creative Producer – The Oram Awards
The six mentors were the audio-visual artist and 2017 Oram Awardee, Kathy Hinde, composer, musician, robotic artist & trustee of The Daphne Oram Trust Sarah Angliss, experimental electronic artist and producer Nik Void, international artist, poet and performer Caroline Bergvall,
A&R at Concord Music Publishing Mary McGovern and sound artist, games designer and custom instrument builder Yann Seznec.
The Oram Awards 2021 will continue to develop the mentoring program as well as provide a platform to celebrate the cohort of winners past and present.
