What is the British Music Collection?
Welcome to the British Music Collection Online – a discovery platform for new music in the UK. It grows all the time as more and more composers contribute their work, and as a diverse group of curators weave its content together in unique and original ways.
The website is closely related to the British Music Collection physical archive – a publically accessible collection of over 40,000 scores, 21,000 recordings and other artefacts including books, programme notes and photographs housed at state-of-the-art archive centre Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield. The British Music Collection celebrates its 50th Anniversary in November 2017.
Who is it for?
Composers*, curators and curious listeners.
Composers: The British Music Collection is a space for composers who were either born in the UK or have worked in the UK to upload information about themselves and their works.
Curators: A number of paid curation opportunities are advertised each year but we also welcome speculative proposals and enquiries – no experience necessary. Curation can take the form of blogs, exhibitions, podcasts and more. Please complete this form, we would love to hear from you.
Listeners: The British Music Collection is a treasure trove for anybody interested in new music from the 20th and 21st Centuries (including the present day), particularly music which has not been created for commercial gain and could otherwise be side-lined.
I’m a composer, why should I join?
• Join over 3000 of the UK’s most interesting composers in one space online
• Works are searchable by key words, forces and duration, and browse-able through curated content
• Make yourself and your works more discoverable online
• Use unlimited freetags* to make sure your name and works are connected to areas of greatest significance to you
• Curate articles and exhibitions of your own which will be promoted by Sound and Music
• Your work may be featured by another curator at any time
• Have your profile and works featured in the British Music Collection’s bi-monthly e-newsletter
*Freetags are key words used to classify information
How do I join?
Click here to get started. Should you require any additional support please contact us on thecollection@soundandmusic.org
Why is it free?
The British Music Collection is owned by Sound and Music which is the national charity for new music. None of our work is for profit.
Why do I need to be a member of PRS?
Sound and Music works to increase opportunities for composers in the UK. We recommend all composers join PRS to make sure you receive royalties for any performance or broadcast of your work.
I already have a profile, how do I edit it?
For access information please contact thecollection@soundandmusic.org and we will issue you with log in details.
What about Intellectual Property / Copyright?
The British Music Collection’s online content is exclusively made available for research, perusal, and non-commercial promotion and publicity. Users may not copy, reproduce, republish, disassemble, decompile, reverse engineer, download, post, broadcast, transmit, make available to the public, or otherwise use the website content in any way except for their own personal, non-commercial use. Users may not use the website content for performance or recording. Users must also agree not to adapt, alter or create a derivative work from any the website content except for your own personal, non-commercial use. Any other use of the website content requires the prior written permission of Sound and Music and any relevant licensor. Please contact us with any questions.
How do I delete my profile?
Contact us on thecollection@soundandmusic.org and we will remove it for you.
Can I submit scores / work on physical formats?
The British Music Collection physical archive has not been able to accept physical works in any format since 2007 due to limited space and resources. If you are having trouble submitting your materials digitally please contact us for assistance.
Performing or broadcasting works in the collection
Sound and Music only own the rights to a very small number of works in the collection. As such, it is your responsibility to obtain any necessary permissions for performance or broadcast. Please do let us know if you have used the collection to find works in this way, we would love to find out more.
Governance
The British Music Collection online is owned and governed by Sound and Music. Sound and Music is assisted in this work by an external Advisory Group consisting of the following members:
Dr Richard Chesser (Head of Music, British Library)
Richard Gartner (Digital Librarian, Warburg Institute)
Sally Golding (Composer, Curator, Archivist)
Sadie Harrison (Composer)
Prof Robert Adlington (Queen's Anniversary Prize Chair in Contemporary Music, University of Huddersfield)
Susanna Eastburn (Chief Executive, Sound and Music)
Angharad Cooper (Creative Project Leader, Sound and Music)
Victoria Johnson (Head of Digital, Communications and Marketing, Sound and Music)
What is Sound and Music?
Sound and Music is the national charity for new music in the UK. Our mission is to maximise the opportunities for people to create and enjoy new music.
Our work includes composer and artist development, partnerships with a range of organisations, audience development, touring, information and advice, network building, and education.
What is New Voices?
New Voices is a composer support scheme ran by Sound and Music, representing some of the most exciting original voices in new music today.
Contact Us
Twitter: @soundandmusic
Email: thecollection@soundandmusic.org
Instagram: @soundandmusicuk
Telephone: 0207 759 1800