Composer Development Scheme: United Strings of Europe
Application Deadline 7/11/2025
Workshop 1 – Early Dec
Workshop 2 – tbc (February 2026)
Concert – Scotland February 2026
The Night With… announces its seventh call for emerging composer development opportunity for emerging composers and those who may not have had many professional development opportunities.
This year, we will be working with United Strings of Europe (String quartet)
Selected pieces will be workshopped and performed in early 2026 as part of the tour.
We are seeking proposals from emerging composers. We will select five composers to attend the first workshop, which will be an introduction to the players and the instruments. The composers then will write a new c. 5-10 minute work for the quartet which will be workshopped. At least one piece will be chosen for inclusion in The Night With… tour in early 2026.
We are particularly interested in hearing from composers from minority backgrounds, including but not limited to women, trans, non-binary, and other gender-minority artists. Artists from all underrepresented groups are also welcomed and encouraged to apply.
Workshop 1 will be an introduction to the performers and the instruments. There is no expectation of composers having material written for this workshop, though short examples to try would be welcome.
Workshop 2 will be a read through workshop on each of the works.
It is intended that both workshops will be documented through recording and photography/film.
Proposals should be up to 200 words outlining the piece composers would like to write, their interest in the trio and how it will benefit their development as a composer. Two scores and/or recordings should be submitted at the same time. These do not need to include any of the featured instruments.
Scores and recordings should be submitted anonymously.
It is the responsibility of the composer to acquire any rights or permissions to text used in the pieces. By submitting to this call for scores the composer confirms that these have been or will be obtained for both performance and recording if selected.
Exact percussion options will be confirmed at the first workshop and in discussion with participants.
It is recognised that composers can begin their career at any age. Therefor ‘emerging’ is defined by the composer themselves though will be at the discretion of judges. Example definitions of emerging include:
- Currently in education or recently left
- Have worked with an orchestra for a development opportunity (e.g. RSNO Composers Hub, LSO Soundhub) but not received regular commissions orchestral or otherwise
- Not have an exclusive agreement with a publisher
These are not exhaustive examples.
Attendance at both the workshops is required. Reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation up to £200 will be covered. Selected composers will also be given an attendance fee of £250 per workshop day.
The workshops will be open to the public and free to attend.
Submission Process
All submission should be submitted through this form: https://forms.gle/YfUtt23iW39F8Lfg6
The form requires:
- Up to 200 word expression of interest
- Links to two existing scores
- Links to recordings for scores (if available)
- Biography, up to 350 words in Word format, of composer (this will not be used for judging the shortlist, only for eligibility and marketing if shortlisted)
- Headshot
- All links must be valid until 1/12/2025
Selected composers will be informed by mid November
