Psappha Contemporary Music Ensemble: Talent Development Partner 2018
Established for 26 years, Psappha is the only stand-alone, professional contemporary classical ensemble in northern England. Our talent development programme is embedded in our artistic programme for the year, through our Manchester Series (which supports composers across all career stages) and our “Composing For…” programme (which supports emerging and early-career composers).
The “Composing For…” programme pairs 24 emerging composers with Psappha’s expert musicians over a period of six months through a series of bespoke, one-to-one sessions. By the end of the scheme each of the composers will have been supported to write a new work.
Following our successful 2017-18 Composing for Guzheng (Chinese harp) pilot, as a Talent Development Partner we will continue to include non-Western instruments in the scheme. The programme culminates in a series of filming days where we make multi-camera HD films of all 24 works, with spoken introductions by the composers.
Psappha’s 2018-19 Manchester Series will include two commissions and will support 17 living composers through the high-quality public performance and film-recording of their work. This year’s series feature music inspired by words, art, film, and dance, as well as music that connects with jazz, blues, popular and world music.