B:Music secures support from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation
/ News 9 Nov 2022News Story
On 4 November 2022, Arts Council England announced details of its new national portfolio of funded organisations for 2023-26 with £43.5 million investment in supporting art, culture, and creativity for more people in more places, across the country.
B:Music is grateful to have secured ongoing support towards our vital Talent Development and engagement work in our local communities from Arts Council England.
I am delighted that B:Music has been retained as a National Portfolio Organisation in the latest Arts Council of England funding round. This grant directly supports our development work with young musicians, our programme of free gigs and so much more: it is welcome recognition of our mission to inspire a love of live music through performance, participation, and learning.Nick Reed, Chief Executive of B:Music
Alongside the support from all our wonderful donors who enable this vital work, B:Music is able to continue to champion musical talent of this region, inspiring a love of music through performance, participation and learning. One such project is Rise-Up.
Rise-Up’s inaugural cohort, 2021
This year's Rise-Up jazz ensemble is formed of 6 young, female musicians aged 16 to 25 - a singer, saxophonist, pianist, drummer, double bassist, and clarinettist. Now in its second cohort, Rise-Up is a unique, free-to-access, talent development opportunity and is a positive step towards achieving a 50/50 gender split in the jazz sector.
Throughout the project, participants are working closely with pianist, educator and composer, Rebecca Nash. As our Lead Tutor, Rebecca provides support to the new ensemble through a series of rehearsals taking place at Symphony Hall in preparation for upcoming gig opportunities, as well as mentoring them individually throughout the program.
An additional 5 workshops will be delivered by inspiring female guest artists chosen by our participants. They not only focus on performance, but also include sessions on composition and music business, run by Sara Colman and Emily Jones respectively. The participants also receive a bursary to help them secure 1 to 1 tuition with their desired tutors with the support of B:Music. The project will culminate in a high-profile performance at Symphony Hall in March 2023.
This project has been made possible due to the generous support of our donors Mr Ian Reaves, PRS Foundation and Arts Council England.
Read more about B:Music’s Talent Development and find out how to support ongoing projects to break down barriers and empower people from across the region to experience the joy and power of live music.
