Seed Award - Sound and Music

The Seed Award is an award offered to all shortlisted applicants for our New Voices programme.

All applicants to New Voices are shortlisted by both an internal and external panel, and each year 18 composers reach the second stage of the application process which involves an interview. Of the composers interviewed, eight will be selected to join New Voices and ten will be offered the Seed Award.

We reflect on and evaluate the Seed Award annually, and in 2022 we have increased our offer in line with internal and external feedback as we aim to make our work more impactful.

The award is announced annually at the same time as the New Voices composers are announced.

A composer and a mentor looking over a score

How does it work?

The Seed Award is a small targeted package of support, including coaching sessions and a small financial contribution to support the research and development of a particular project.

Artists will receive:

£250 contribution to support the research and development of a particular project
Three coaching sessions with an accredited coach
Three strategic thinking sessions with a dedicated team member
Invitation to a workshop on fundraising and grants
A networking session with other awardees
Invitation to Sound and Music's composer Discord server

For more information about coaching, you can read our Coaching and Mentoring Toolkit.

How do I apply?

This award is only open to applicants for New Voices - there is no separate application process.

If you have been shortlisted for the New Voices programme and have been offered an interview, you will automatically be offered a Seed Award.

You can read more about the eligibility and selection criteria for New Voices, as well as the application process, on the New Voices application page.