MRF Young Composers' Scheme
MRF provides support for aspiring young composers:
commissioning, workshops and expert tuition,
with
performance and recording opportunities at our
We welcomed 5 young composers onto our Spring '26 scheme: Carlos, Immy, Ernest, Matthew and Tasha.Working in partnership with the Royal College of Music Junior Department, workshops and mentoring supported the composers in writing new pieces for string quartet.
Concert of premieres, RCM, March '26:
London Chamber Ensemble Quartet,
MRF mentors, trustees Patron Dame Judith Weir and award-holders.
'This award scheme has helped me profoundly as a young composer. In particular, I would say that it has helped me with my confidence; not only has it inspired me to explore more unconventional and interesting harmonies, but it has also encouraged me to put my compositions out there. I have also learned a lot about the string quartet as a musical ensemble, and about the instruments themselves. As I do not play a string instrument myself, I found the workshops immensely useful for the compositional process. Finally, hearing other young musicians’ compositions really opened my eyes to the boundless possibilities when composing for string quartet. I will definitely be writing more for strings in the future!
Learning from Simon Speare was both fascinating and enjoyable, so I would like to thank him and everyone else at MRF for this wonderful experience.
Matthew Porter - award-holder '26
The 2023 Young Composers' Scheme
Spring term '23
4 applicants were selected for the MRF award: William, Josh, Joe and Felix. They were each commissioned to write a new short work for solo cello, reflecting in some way the events of the First English Civil War.
Performer in residence:
Joseph Spooner - cellist.
2021 workshops for young composers, featured:
Sam Bullard - saxophones, Ben Corrigan - electronics, Dame Judith Weir.
Sam, who worked with Martin Read at Alton College, says:
I think about Martin and his influence often, and this is something I would love to be involved in.
MRF alumni were showcased by
the London contemporary music concert series, November '18.
Grateful thanks to
performers: Chris Goodman, clarinet &
Jonathan Beatty, piano;
composers: Ellen Drewe, Sam Carr, Freddie Hodkin, Catherine Upfold, Owen Russell & Oren Hirtenstein with Simon Speare (composer mentor)
and Howard Skempton (patron);
Patron Dame Judith Weir for providing her introduction
and to Borough New Music for hosting.
The 2019 Young Composers' Scheme
Spring term '19:
Joe Parks, percussion and Daniel Swani, recorders & flute gave the premieres of the finished commissions by
Jack, Scottie and Pernille at MRF Fesival, Alton. The concert followed by an inspiring composer-performer workshop, masterclass-style, with Howard Skempton...
