Apply for PRS Foundation Resonate Fund – UK

Resonate is a fund and resource which encourages professional orchestras to programme into their repertoire the best pieces of British music from the past 25 years.

The challenges associated with securing repeat performances of new orchestral repertoire are a longstanding topic for composers, Orchestra Directors and funding agencies. Single performances of new music do not give audiences the chance to become familiar with important, and ultimately rewarding works which form part of the UK’s internationally acclaimed repertoire. Neither does this situation enable substantial pieces of music to develop and improve as they are performed again by different musicians and for the benefit of different audiences.

Resonate responds to this challenge by offering funding to orchestras who would like to invest in their programming of new British music commissioned by UK orchestras over the past 25 years. To highlight the range of orchestral repertoire that could be considered for this programme, they have worked in partnership with the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) which has received support from The Foyle Foundation to create a comprehensive database of pieces commissioned by UK orchestras in the last 25 years.

BBC Radio 3 is their broadcast partner for Resonate and will be working with them to broadcast as many of the Resonate pieces as possible whilst also helping to raise awareness of this national programme. When submitting an application please make sure you indicate how you have included the Resonate piece in the programming plans you are discussing with the BBC.

Aims

• To stimulate more performances, recordings and broadcasts of outstanding UK repertoire, as chosen by UK orchestras.
• To work with the orchestral sector to strengthen approaches to programming contemporary repertoire for the benefit of audiences and players in the UK and overseas.
• To establish a recognised body of British contemporary works that would not get the exposure it deserves without this scheme.

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for up to £15,000 to cover the costs of hiring parts, rehearsing, performing and recording the proposed piece.
• Alternatively applicants can apply for up to £5,000 to soley cover the costs of recording the proposed piece. If support towards recording is included in an application the recording must be guaranteed and an alternative funding contribution secured.
• They envisage being able to fund between 10-12 grantees per year, depending on project scope and available funds.

Eligible Funding

• They will consider every application on a case-by-case basis. They are inviting orchestras to propose why they have selected the piece; what makes it an exceptional work worthy of being heard by audiences again and how they will programme it in their tour or season, ensuring engagement with a large audience. Orchestras can apply for funding to help cover the following:
  • Music hire
  • Orchestral rehearsal time
  • Instrument Hire
  • Performer fees
  • Promotion/performance of work
  • Touring costs in the UK
  • A combination of some of the above

Ineligible Funding

• New commissions
• Pieces not available on the ABO repertoire database
• International tours with no UK involvement

Eligibility Criteria

• Resonate is open to all full and associate ABO members
• Priority will be given to organisations that a) don’t already receive PRS Foundation funding through other schemes and b) do not specialise in programming new music c) are interested in programming larger scale works.
• Pieces commissioned by professional UK orchestras since 1991 are eligible
• Pieces selected must have been written by British composers, who are members of PRS for Music or in a position to join
• Deceased British composers repertoire from the last 25 years are eligible
• Both published and unpublished pieces are eligible
• Performances must be part of main season programme, major festival or tour.
• Please note composers who are members of another performing rights society e.g. ASCAP, SACEM are not eligible. However works from British composers currently not living in the UK are eligible.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Orchestras who are already supported via PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Programme.
• Orchestras who are not based in the UK.
• Please note they will give priority to orchestras not specialising in contemporary music but who want to develop their programming with this scheme.

For more information, visit PRS Foundation.