Yorkshire Sound Women Network C.I.C.: TDN 2026
Short Project Title: Changing Gear supports emerging music creators to make new electronic works, develop new technical skills and push creative boundaries.
Bio: Yorkshire Sound Women Network (YSWN) is a Yorkshire-based CIC championing gender equity in audio. YSWN inspires and enable women and gender-diverse people to explore sound and music technology, running projects devoted to artistic development, education and network-building. YSWN also works with the audio industry to promote equality, tackle discrimination and increase opportunities. Founded in 2015, YSWN’s mission is to support a flourishing industry which welcomes, encourages and progresses the inclusion of women and gender-diverse people at all levels from studio floor to board room, and reflects the diversity of its participating communities.
Programme Description: Changing Gear is YSWN’s programme offering emerging music creators based in Yorkshire and the Humber commissions, equipment and support to compose and perform exciting new works, develop new technical skills and push creative boundaries. The programme’s first two years respectively marked the centenary of electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram and celebrated the past, present and future of rail during the Railway 200 celebrations. This year we mark the 75th anniversary of the Peak District National Park, inviting music creators to explore the Park’s history, people and environments, from themes of land access and urban/rural lifestyles to habitat protection and climate change. Three women and gender-diverse composers across a range of genres will be selected to create new music. YSWN will work closely with each creator to support the development of their artistic practice: this may include collaborating with a filmmaker to incorporate film footage of the Peak District or learning new field recording skills to gather audio materials within the park. The new works of music will be presented in two public performances, including as part of No Bounds Festival in October 2026. Finally, two outreach workshops will open up the programme’s themes to members of the public.