National Youth Choirs of Great Britain: The Open Fund for Organisations

The NYCGB Young Composers Scheme (YCS) is a new initiative run with Digital Partner NMC Recordings which aims to annually identify and develop four talented composers aged 18-25 who are passionate about creating high quality, imaginative new music for vocal ensembles. Running over a whole year, the YCS offers a rewarding programme of residential courses and retreats, workshops, peer and professional mentoring and performance showcases and outlets.

Residential courses are shared with the National Youth Choir and NYCGB Fellowship octet, allowing composers exceptional opportunities to collaborate with outstanding young singers of their own age. Professional mentoring is led by NYCGB Artistic Director and Peters Edition composer Ben Parry, with support from guest mentors. Composers can take advantage of individual retreats at Aldeburgh, generously provided by the Britten-Pears Foundation, and will receive a personal Innovation Fund of £500 to undertake their own creative initiatives.

Wide-reaching showcase opportunities are offered for works completed during the programme, including concert performances by the National Youth Choir and NYCGB Fellowship octet, and a professional recording and release on NMC Recordings. Throughout the programme, NYCGB and NMC Recordings work to significantly raise awareness of composers and their work through publicity and profiling.

We are delighted to announce that the 2019 NYCGB Young Composers are Lillie Harris, Harry Baker, Shruthi Rajasekar and Joanna Ward.