Creative producer Holly Hunter and composer Michael Betteridge present their co-creation project Voices Weaving, and invite members to get involved...
In this recording of our webinar (original event 28 January 2025), we talked about process of commissioning new music as a leisure-time music group, and the challenges and benefits that it brings.
Commissioning a new piece of music can be a daunting process for a leisure-time music group, and it can be equally daunting for a music creator to approach a group to discuss collaborating.
As a committee it may be that you have logistical concerns like finances and the extra work that comes with being involved in the creation of a new piece. Or maybe you are just wary about the uncertainty of the process and whether you will like the final result. If you are a composer you might be keen to work with the breadth and depth of talent in the amateur music sector, but don’t know how to get your foot in the door. And once you do you might be scared about how they will respond to your piece!
In this event we brought together composers and music groups to discuss the challenges and benefits of commissioning. We were also joined by some of the group members, musical directors, composers and mentors that took part in Adopt a Music Creator 2024, who shared what they have learned about collaborating and helped demystify the idea that leisure-time music groups and living composers don’t mix.
The views represented by the speakers in this webinar are their own, and do not represent the views of Making Music.
Useful links
Making Music commissioning/new music resources
- Adopt a Music Creator
- Adopt a Music Creator: Re-scored pieces for member groups to perform
- Finding music for performance – what you need to know
- A step-by-step guide to commissioning new music
- Orchestra Tax Relief service (a way to get more money for your group that could potentially go back into commissioning)
Composers Edition
Other resources
If you have any questions about this event topic, please contact info@makingmusic.org.uk
We hope you find this Making Music resource useful. If you have any comments or suggestions about the guidance please contact us. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this guidance is accurate and up to date, Making Music do not warrant, nor accept any liability or responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the content, or for any loss which may arise from reliance on the information contained in it.
