Composers beginning their careers have told UYMP that their main needs are developing their professional contacts and prospective performances. As students, composers are well supported by their institutions, but outside them it can be challenging to secure opportunities. While perpetual self-promotion is now possible thanks to social media, there can be no better way than meeting other artists and programmers face-to-face to get the ball rolling.
Part of UYMP's role as a publisher is to support the creation and distribution of new musical works. The aim of the Cooperative is to create a pool of contacts to foster conversation and collaboration across contemporary music communities in the north of England; to provide the particular support that composers in the north need to develop their careers.
For the first meeting of the Cooperative, UYMP has partnered with Yorkshire-based programmers Platform 4 (Sheffield) and Late Music (York), who will be present on the day to share their work and meet composers.
Through participating in the Cooperative, composers will be able to:
• share their practice and experience
• expand their professional network
• discuss issues affecting their career
• learn of other activities in the region
• set up new collaborations
• establish a relationship with UYMP and programmers Platform 4 and Late Music
• access support in networking and promotion from UYMP
Project Administrator James Whittle said,
UYMP is providing the space for composers to bring to the table what matters most to them about their career. The support UYMP offers in developing this project will be led by the needs of the participating composers. Thanks to the grant, UYMP is able to offer this event, and any additional support given to composers, for free. This is an opportunity for early career composers to be part of an ongoing supportive network and conversation: to help careers and new music communities grow across the north of England.
A full schedule will be published soon. Details of the first meeting are as follows:
Saturday 22nd June 2019
10.30am – 5pm.
Arrive for coffee at 10.30am, to start at 11am.
Lunch will be provided.
Venue: Department of Music, University of York
Composers wishing to attend must please register their attendance by 5th June using our short online form:
https://forms.gle/5ydXEA7xosZDHLez5
For all queries, please contact:
James Whittle, projects@uymp.co.uk
