Ludlow Song are looking for young composers, aged 16 to 25, living anywhere in the UK who are facing financial barriers to their musical practice, to take part in a free, expenses-paid workshop with leading composer and teacher Professor Julian Philips in September this year. The workshop is an opportunity to explore English song: music for voice with text in the English language.
The workshop is also an opportunity to meet the Ludlow Song team, including Artistic Director Iain Burnside. We hope that at least one participant will be offered a paid commission for Ludlow English Song Weekend 2026, with support to attend the festival in Shropshire next April.
We are committed to making the workshop as accessible as possible. This includes using accessible spaces and reserving an access budget to make sure we can meet disabled and neurodivergent composers’ needs. If selected you will be invited to share your access requirements with us, but if you have questions feel free to contact Toria Banks on ludlowsong@gmail.com.
“The opportunity to choose any text I liked and have it brought to life by the most amazing artists was such a fabulous opportunity… it really set off my love of writing songs, so you should definitely apply.” Derri Joseph Lewis
What we are offering:
4 or 5 composers will be selected to take part in a 1 day workshop in Birmingham on Sunday 21st September.
In advance of the workshop, the successful applicants will be asked to share a new work in progress – a song or groups of songs for voice and piano with a text in the English language. There will be 6 weeks, from being selected, for successful applicants to work on their song(s).
At the workshop in September, they will work on their compositions with Professor Philips, along with an experienced singer and pianist, and will also learn from each others’ ideas and processes.
The day will end with a free public performance, including a chance to share the new works in progress with a supportive audience.
We will cover travel (and where necessary accommodation) costs, and will also pay a per diem to cover other expenses on the day (such as food).
The workshop is generously supported by the Gerald Finzi Trust, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
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