Congratulations to the nineteen individuals who have been selected to work with music organisations across the UK as part of our Music Fellowship scheme!
Using money raised through phone-voting on The Voice, the BBC Performing Arts Fund has been able to award nineteen music organisations a total of £190,000 for the professional development of the next generation of musical talent.
Nineteen highly motivated individuals will work under the guidance of some of the most well-respected arts and music organisations in the UK. These individuals will be given unique opportunities to develop their skills, showcase their work, and learn exactly what it takes to work successfully in the music industry.
The 19 successful organisations and Fellows are:
Baby People – Derby
Fellow:Ben Dew [Musician/ Producer]
Musician/Producer Ben will work with Baby J to develop producing, programming and event management skills.
Bristol Music Trust – Bristol
Fellow: Abi Ward [Programming]
Abi is a young events manager who will be based at Colston Hall in Bristol with the fantastic opportunity to programme one of the main spaces as well as work on festivals.
‘I am thrilled to be selected by the BBC Performing Arts Fund. The opportunity to be a fellow enables me to work with the Bristol Music Trust in supporting emerging artists of which I’m so passionate about, by giving them a platform at a first class venue such as Colston Hall. I can’t wait to get stuck in!’ Abi Ward.
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Birmingham
Fellow: James Ham [Ballet Conductor]
James will receive the unique opportunity to be mentored and trained as a ballet conductor with Birmingham Royal Ballet and its orchestra the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
'I am delighted and grateful to receive a BBC Music Fellowship, and thrilled to be joining Birmingham Royal Ballet as a Conducting Fellow'. James Ham
‘Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to receive support from the BBC Performing Arts Fund for a Music Fellowship with our resident orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The grant will allow us to provide a talented conductor, James Ham, with the unique opportunity of learning the specialist skills of ballet conducting in a supportive professional environment. Conducting for dance is not taught at music colleges or universities and currently no other ballet company in the country offers the chance for young conductors to receive training in this area, so this grant will lead to new and exciting possibilities for Birmingham Royal Ballet and for James’
CC Creative Workshops – Whitley Bay
Fellow: Jordan Riley [Producer/Songwriter]
Jordan will receive mentoring and training whilst working with other artists and producing his own EP.
‘I am so excited to be have invested in by the BBC. I hope to write and produce with talented new artists who have the same passion as me, to make great music.’ Jordan Riley.
Adrian, Shiori, Andrew, Jordan, Maz, Abi, Ailie, Ryan & Ben C
Cheltenham Music Festival – Cheltenham
Fellow: Alex Wilson [Creative & facilitator]
Alex and his sextet will work with Cheltenham Music Festival to produce a new Composer Academy, featuring five days of workshops, performances and professional development sessions for early-career composers.
'I am both excited and honoured to have been selected for a Music Fellowship with the Cheltenham Festival. The fellowship will provide me with valuable experience in a number of disciplines relevant to my ongoing development as a musician and will hopefully lead to fruitful working relationships with a variety of international organisations and musicians, for which I shall always be truly grateful.' Alex Wilson
'New music has always been at the centre of the Cheltenham Music Festival, and having pianist Alex Wilson embedded into our team this year will enable the creation of a new Academy for young composers. Alex's BBC PAF Fellowship will give him enhanced skills, confidence and networks in performance, education workshops and concert promotion. We're very much looking forward to working with him - huge thanks to BBC PAF!' Meurig Bowen, Director, Cheltenham Music Festival
Drake Music – Exeter
Fellow: Bram Harrison [DJ/Musician]
DJ Eye Tech (Aka Bram) has locked-in syndrome and will be working with Drake Music to develop technologies to assist him in producing his radio show.
‘Drake Music are delighted that the BBC Performing Arts Fund has awarded a Fellowship grant to DJ/Musician Bram Harrison. Over the coming months, we will be working closely with Bram to develop his musical practice, support his career development and advocate for equality of participation and collaboration in music making by disabled and non-disabled people.’ Carien Meijer, Chief Executive, Drake Music.
English Folk Dance and Song Society – London
Fellow: Maz O'Connor [Singer]
Maz (BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award Finalist 2013) will be supported by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) over the year to develop her industry profile, have access to rehearsal and performance opportunities and be part of EFDSS' showcasing programme both in the UK and abroad.
English Touring Opera – London
Fellow: Carlos del Cueto [Opera Conductor]
Carlos will be assistant conductor, receiving mentoring and support from high profile conductors and the unique opportunity to develop as a professional conductor.
‘We are hugely grateful for this opportunity and very excited about the year ahead!’
Feis Rois – Scotland
Fellow: Amy Henderson [Accordionist]
Amy will be working with Feis Rois to develop a sustainable career as a traditional musician in the remote area of Northern Scotland.
‘I am delighted to be one of the nineteen chosen BBC Music Fellows! Working with Feis Rois and other fellows I am excited by the new opportunities, skills and experiences this opportunity will bring. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for traditional music with others, as well as creating and working on vibrant music projects in the Highlands.’ Amy Henderson
‘Fèis Rois is delighted to be awarded funding from the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship to support recent music graduate, Amy Henderson to develop her career in the Highlands of Scotland. We often find that young people move away from the Highlands to study in the Central Belt or London and it can be a challenge to attract them back to work in rural communities. This is a fantastic opportunity for Fèis Rois to support Amy to develop her community music skills in her own home area.’ Fiona Dalgetty, Chief Executive of Fèis Rois.
Grimsby Minster – Yorkshire & The Humber
Fellow: Ben Crick [Conductor]
Ben will be musician in residence at the Minster helping develop a programme of classical music in an area that has little provision.
'The support of the BBC will allow me to take high level classical music to areas of the country where provision is really limited whilst developing my own abilities and experience. This opportunity allows me to indulge my passion for both the art form and introducing new people to it and is a chance I intend to take full advantage of.' Ben Crick.
Haddington Pipe Band – Scotland
Fellow: Ailie Robertson [Musician/composer]
Ailie (Composer of the Year, Scottish Trad Music Awards) will work with the band to compose a new piece for pipe and drum band, a new and exciting departure for her.
‘We are thrilled to have been awarded this very prestigious grant. Working closely with Ailie Robertson, one of Scotland’s finest young composers, over the coming months will be a real delight for us and we very much appreciate the privilege of being able to build a strong creative partnership with her. We are very grateful to the BBC Performing Arts Fund for giving us this opportunity.’ Alastair Bruce, Chairman of Haddington Pipe Band
‘I am absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to work with Haddington Pipe Band. I look forward to developing our relationship over the coming year, and am excited to start working with, and composing for, them.’ Ailie Robertson
Irene Taylor Trust – London
Fellow: Adrian Harrison [Singer/Songwriter]
Adrian, (AkA Fudge) will work with Irene Taylor Trust to develop his song writing and musicianship along with facilitation skills.
‘Over the moon, excited and feeling extremely blessed’ Adrian Harrison.
Amble,Jonathan,Ben D Alex,Carlos,Bethany,Holly & James
Making Music – Wales
Fellow: Amble Skuse [Composer]
Amble will work with various community music making organisations including choirs and schools across Wales to develop new work combining traditional, electronic and community elements.
‘I am delighted to have been selected for the Performing Arts Fellowship this year. I'm looking forwards to developing this interesting project with Ty Cerdd. I'll be working with ensembles and primary schools across Wales to explore local history and develop some new site specific pieces. I'd better start brushing up on my Welsh now!’ Amble Skuse.
‘Making Music is thrilled to be included in this year's BBC PAF Fellowship, and to be working with exciting young composer Amble Skuse, and Cardiff-based Ty Cerdd. Together, we're going to be producing music for groups, schools and communities throughout Wales, resulting in some amazing, ambitious and unexpected performances.’
Moving on Music Ltd– Northern Ireland
Fellow: Ryan Molloy [Composer]
Ryan will work with Moving On Music to create new works for performance by the Danish String Quartet as well as develop a new series of late evening recitals in Belfast.
‘Becoming a BBC PAF Fellow in association with Moving On Music is the most exciting development in my career to date. The opportunities that I will explore, from writing new music and curating concerts to exploring new and inspiring collaborations with other artists, would not have been possible without the support of the BBC PAF. The step from academic study to professional practice as a composer is huge, particularly in these challenging times; this BBC PAF Fellowship is a springboard to achieving success in the creative arts industry.’ Ryan Molloy
National Centre for Early Music – York
Fellow: Bethany Seymour [Soprano (Early Music)]
Bethany will receive training, mentoring and performance opportunities through the Centre and the early music festivals that they run.
‘The National Centre for Early Music is delighted to be working with the BBC Performing Arts Fund and to celebrate Bethany Seymour as a new Music Fellow of the Scheme. Bethany is an extraordinarily fine young singer who has considerable expertise in the field of early music and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support both her professional development as a performer, and to extend her skill base, particularly in the area of early years working. We look forward to the coming year with great pleasure.’ Delma Tomlin, Director, NCEM
National Youth Choir of Scotland – Scotland
Fellow: Andrew Nunn [Choral Conductor]
Andrew (Conductor of Les Sirenes, winner of Choir of the Year 2012) will work with Christopher Bell, Artistic Director, to conduct a number of different choirs and ensembles, gaining practical and artistic experience.
‘This award from the BBC will allow Andrew and I a lot of time to focus on a wide range of choral conducting activities, working alongside the 10-15 year olds in the National Boys and National Girls Choirs and the young adults in NYCoS and its Training Choir. Such intense work along with the high standards necessary to work with these groups will provide a challenging and rewarding experience for Andrew.’ Christopher Bell, Artistic Director of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
‘I am really excited to be working with NYCoS in this capacity as conducting fellow and I know it is going to be a challenging but incredibly rewarding experince for me. There is some excellent repertoire and opportunities for me to get involved with and of course the expert coaching and input from Christopher Bell will be invaluable to myself and my development as a young choral conductor.’ Andrew Nunn.
Town Hall & Symphony Hall – Birmingham
Fellow: Jonathan Silk [Jazz Percussionist]
With the support of the Jazzlines team, Jonathan will develop his skills as a drummer, composer and big band leader travelling abroad to receive mentoring as well as working towards a tour at the end of the year.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra – Scotland
Fellow: Shiori Usui [Composer]
Shiori will develop her skills and experience as a composer working in community and outreach settings with SCO Connect, the Education and Outreach department of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
‘With the generous support from BBC Performing Arts Fund, I will be able to work with the SCO Connect to develop the skills and confidence that I need for working as a composer and music animateur in various education and outreach settings. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I am sure that the experience will enrich me both personally and artistically to grow as a creative musician.’ Shiori Usui
‘Everyone at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is delighted at the news of this award. We are extremely pleased to welcome to the SCO, the vibrant and creative talents of our new SCO Connect fellow, composer Shiori Usui, for whom this will be an invaluable opportunity. It is a real vote of confidence in the work of our SCO Connect Department and the exceptional programme of education and outreach work which it has been operating and developing for many years.’ Roy McEwan (Chief Executive, Scottish Chamber Orchestra)
Urban Development – London
Fellow: Holly Smith [Singer]
Holly will be supported in developing her career as a vocalist with recording, performance and mentoring.
