Paid Opportunity for LGBTQ+ Composers

We're seeking to support UK-based LGBTQ+ composers, music-creators and collectives to create new sonic works as part of a series celebrating LGBTQ+ histories, sounds and stories

Today, Sound and Music is seeking to support LGBTQ+ composers, music-creators and collectives that are based in the UK to create new sonic works as part of a new series celebrating LGBTQ+ histories, sounds and stories on the British Music Collection. 

Here at Sound and Music, and particularly on the British Music Collection, we feel it is important to capture moments in our history; to create a space to reflect, to celebrate individual voices and to address the underrepresentation of LGBTQ+ composers working currently across a range of backgrounds, styles and genres.  

This opportunity has been produced in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Music Study Group as part of a series of interventions and activities to mark LGBTQ+ History Month, a month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, nonbinary and queer lives, culture, history and activism.  

LGBTQ+ History Month takes place between 1- 28 February 2021. 

The opportunity:  

2 x £500 grants for new sonic works 

Deadline for applications: Sunday 14th March at 11:59pm 

These new works will be hosted uniquely on the British Music Collection website and shared via our social channels and newsletters.  

The brief for the project is intentionally open and isn’t tied to any specific themes. Our aim is to support LGBTQ+ composers and music-creators to make the works they  feel need to be heard, and to make this online space a safe, more diverse and relevant place to discover new music.  

This year's LGBTQ+ History Month theme is ‘Mind, Body and Spirit’.  

These works can be created either alone (solo) or with collaborators of your choosing (this could be another composer / musician / visual artist / filmmaker / animator / writer etc.) 

We are looking for 1-5 minute creative, sonic, responses. If you would like to produce a longer piece of work, you are welcome, but Sound and Music is keen to ensure everyone is paid fairly and properly for their time and work. 

The named applicant must be based in the UK and not currently participating in a Sound and Music programme. 

Take a look at a previous British Music Collection paid opportunity for composers, 'Interpreting Isolation', to see examples of work we've supported in the past.

How to apply:   

Apply here: Application Form 

Deadline for applications: Sunday 14th March at 11:59pm 

To apply you will need to provide: 

  • Your email address (so that we can get in touch with you) 

  • 250 words or a 2 minute audio/video about your idea for the work 

  • 250 words or a 2 minute audio/video about your experience as a LGBTQ+ Composer 

  •  Links to previous work 

  • You will also be asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form  

Please note that the video does not need to be you talking to camera.  

Please apply in whichever way suits your needs.  

If you have a question, please contact Heather Blair, Creative Project Leader – heather.blair@soundandmusic.org 

All applicants will hear back from us by Friday 16th April 2021.  

Selection process: 

A panel including Sound and Music staff and members of the LGBTQ+ Music Study Ggroup will select the successful applicants. 

Sound and Music is committed to equality, inclusivity and diversity across all our programmes.  

For this call we would like to hear from those who identify as LGBTQ+ but actively encourage applicants who are also D/deaf; disabled; working-class; who experience racism; and those who feel they have had less access to opportunity or who have experienced barriers or discrimination due to a protected or other characteristic.  

You can find out more about our commitment to creating open and inclusive opportunities by reading our Fair Access Principles. 

If you have any questions or would like this document in another format, please contact Alex Noble, Executive Administrator: Alex.noble@soundandmusic.org 

Other ways to get involved:  

  • Invitation for pitches: Later in the year, we will also be inviting pitches for editorial content that responds to the works created through this opportunity, and which may also speak more broadly to both emerging and historical issues on sexuality, gender and queerness in new music. Watch this space and sign up here for updates