sound is a new music incubator based in North East Scotland, which aims to increase access to new music, encourage excellence and experimentation, and nurture talent. It achieves this through a variety of activities including the annual soundfestival, a year-round composer support programme, a youth programme, and other learning and engagement activities.
The opportunities involve writing new works for the following ensembles, leading to performances or sharings at the 2026 soundfestival. Please note that there is a progression through the opportunities, with each one catering to composers at different points in their careers. We thus expect the majority of composers to apply to one of these opportunities rather than multiple opportunities.
1. A duo of musicians from Red Note Ensemble (alto flute and percussion) in the run up to the soundfestival. This is aimed at very early career composers.
2. North East Scotland’s new music ensemble, Any Enemy, conducted and mentored by Pete Stollery in the run up to the soundfestival. This is aimed at early career composers slightly further along their career path.
3. A 3-day Composers’ Lab with Quatuor Bozzini during the soundfestival. This is aimed at more experienced emerging composers.
These opportunities are part of sound’s soundcreators programme focusing on nurturing creative talent. soundcreators is currently funded by Creative Scotland, Aberdeen City Council, the Hinrichsen Foundation, the William Syson Foundation and through the PRS Foundation’s Development Network fund supported by PPL. These particular opportunities are in addition funded by The Garrick Charitable Trust.
Click HERE for more information and to apply.
