You've composed your piece and you think it's good, maybe one of the best you've done. How do you get it out into the world? How do you get it performed? How do people get to hear it? These are questions that are not easy to answer, because there is no simple, direct way to reach an audience when you are unknown. But, there are a few ways to get your music into the public domain so perhaps it's working on several of these simultaneously.

A lot will depend on the type of music you're composing and what instruments and sounds are involved. If you've written a piece for a large orchestra or choir then you're going to have to find a large ensemble to perform it, so unless you're at school or college, where there may be an orchestra or choir, or you personally know a lot of amateur performers, the chances of a large scale work ever being performed are fairly slim. Writing with specific performers in mind is probably a better way to begin; musicians that you know - friends, students, people attending a local music centre - could all be approached. Find three, four or five players and write a piece for them. Rehearse and record the rehearsals so you have some documentation of your work that you can send to prospective concert organisers.

Contemporary Music Making for Amateurs (CoMA) encourages and organises ensembles regionally and runs a summer school providing opportunities for new composers. The Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM) runs workshops, concerts and special events for composers at the start of their careers. The British Music Information Centre has an 'Opportunities for Composers and Performers' area on their website with information about competitions both here and abroad. 
Contemporary Music Making for Amateurs (CoMA)
Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM)
The British Music Information Centre

If your music is electronic, or if you've recorded a vocal or instrumental piece, you can upload it to a website, preferably your own. There are a great many websites promoting unsigned artists and bands. Keying 'unsigned' into a search engine will bring up many links. Many of these sites are orientated around pop music, and its many genres, so if your music is experimental you could consider contacting Sonic Arts Network who promote cutting edge pieces at their annual Expo conference. Remember also that Britain isn't the only country in the world. The Canadian Electroacoustic Music Community runs a website called Sonus which is a huge jukebox of experimental pieces uploaded by composers. 
Sonic Arts Network
The Canadian Electroacoustic Music Community
Sonus

Getting your work performed and heard is not impossible but it can sometimes be difficult, therefore perseverance is vital. Networking with other composers and musicians is crucial and joining established organisations can help keep you in touch. Attending concerts and festivals will also keep you abreast of what is happening. Most important of all, keep composing, don't give up if your amazing piece doesn't get performed first time around.

© Robert Worby/BBC