UK Music creators set to take centre stage at Classical:NEXT 2025 with support from PRS Foundation
UK-based composers, artists and industry professionals are being supported by PRS Foundation to attend and showcase at Classical:NEXT 2025, the global networking and showcase event for classical music.
Music creators are receiving support through our International Showcase Fund (a partnership managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with DBT, British Underground, PPL, British Council, Musicians Union, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Wales Arts International, Arts Council Northern Ireland) and through our Classical:NEXT Fellowships, a dynamic cohort of creators representing the UK’s bold and diverse music scene.
Classical:NEXT Fellows
PRS Foundation is supporting three exceptional UK-based composers as Classical:NEXT Fellows. This opportunity supports their international professional development, enabling them to network, reflect on their creative practice, and forge new connections.
Meet the 2025 Fellows
Ailis Ní Ríain (North West England)
With a major European commission from RSO Vienna Radio Symphony ORF , Ailis will use this opportunity to build international recognition and showcase her work to global presenters and programmers.
Lara Agar (South East England)
Lara will use her time at Classical:NEXT to deepen her artistic exploration and connect with artistic directors from ensembles around the world, furthering her international profile.
Yshani Perinpanayagam (London)
As a composer with a passion for audience experience and collaboration, Yshani aims to learn from international peers and build creative partnerships.
International Showcase Fund Grantees
Through PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund, three innovative UK-based music creators have been selected to perform at Classical:NEXT 2025. This fund provides crucial support to help artists seize career-defining opportunities on international stages.
Showcase Performances
Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain
Date: May 13, 2025
Time: 17:30 – 18:00
Venue: Colosseum, Kino 10
This spellbinding Welsh-Irish duo unites harp and fiddle, classical finesse and folk roots. Catrin and Aoife merge their musical worlds to produce a rich dialogue of tradition and innovation.
NYX
Date: May 14, 2025
Time: 13:00 – 13:30
Venue: Colosseum, Kino 10
The London-based vocal collective reshaping the female choir. NYX fuses electronic textures with choral experimentation to push the boundaries of collective voice. Their showcase aligns with their mission to reach broader, more diverse audiences across the classical spectrum.
Komuna Collective
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 00:15 – 00:45
Venue: Kater Blau
Born from the UK’s experimental underground scene, Komuna Collective merges sound, visual art, and performance. From fashion week to queer raves, their boundary-pushing work now comes to Berlin. Their debut album Views from the Real World is already gaining international attention, and this showcase will help expand their reach to new audiences and collaborators.
Resonate Panel: Solving the Problem of the Second Performance
Additionally our Grants & Programmes Manager, Elizabeth Sills will be running a panel discussion at the event to talk about the importance of repeat performances for orchestral works and our groundbreaking Resonate programme which is partnership with the ABO and BBC Radio 3.
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 16:45 – 17:45
Venue: Kino 5, Colosseum, Gleimstraße 33, 10437 Berlin
Resonate inspires more performances, recordings and broadcasts of outstanding contemporary repertoire by UK based Composers, selected by UK orchestras. This panel will explore the benefits of re-performance for composers, orchestras and audiences alike, and highlight successful programming strategies from UK and international perspectives.
Chaired by: Elizabeth Sills (United Kingdom) – Grants and Programmes Manager, PRS Foundation
With:
Naomi Belshaw (United Kingdom) – Composer/Artist Manager and Consultant
Dr. Dobrinka Tabakova (United Kingdom) – Composer
Sam McShane (United Kingdom) – Artistic Director, Kings Place
