nonclassical air 2026-28
this programme is possible thanks to our funders: the mila charitable organisation, vaughan williams foundation, idlewild trust, radcliffe trust, fenton arts trust, d’oyly carte charitable trust, the margaret engering music trust, and dorico.
Nonclassical AiR supports the artistic development of unsigned and unpublished early-career composers, who are creating stand-out new contemporary classical, electronic and/or experimental music that chimes with our ethos.
The scheme has been specially developed to give four early-career artists a 360-degree view of what it takes to be a composer in today’s musical landscape, across commissions, curating and promoting events, releasing music, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of how the music industry operates and who operates it.
Since 2016, the scheme has supported 16 artists including the likes of Nneka Cummins, Blasio Kavuma, Laurence Osborn and Atefeh Einali. Former participants have received national recognition (Ivor Novello and RPS Awards), major commissions (BBC Proms and LA Phil), and further opportunities with both nonclassical and other organisations (signed to publishing labels, invited to prestigious festivals) following our support.
Former editions of the Artists in Residence programme have featured: a takeover at the Southbank Centre, concerts at the Glad Cafe (Glasgow) and Ormside Projects (London), and partnership events with Contemporary Music for All (CoMA) and Sinfonia Smith Square.
meet the nonclassical airs 2026-28
Thank you to our wonderful panellists for selecting this cohort of nonclassical AiRs: Daria Challah, Megan Steller, Emily Abdy, Karen Lee, Natalia Franklin Pierce and Marcella Keating.
what nonclassical air offers
In the first year of the scheme, the four artists will:
Write a piece for soloist.
Record a track for our label’s Outside the Lines digital EP compilation.
Meet with a dedicated mentor.
Engage with a qualified career coach to shape goals and provide a confidential space to help overcome any challenges.
Undertake a bespoke package of professional training sessions based on goals and skills gaps.
Subject to successful fundraising, in the second year of the programme selected artists will:
Develop a short piece for ensemble, remunerated at Musicians Union commission rates, based on a baroque dance form for Vache Baroque, with workshop time to test out ideas.
Contribute to Nonclassical’s programme of curated events.
Continue mentoring, coaching and professional development sessions to support both creative and professional development.
artist in residence RELEASES
Find out more about the alumni who have been supported by previous iterations of this programme below:
● 2023/25: Beatrice Ferreira, Harry Górski-Brown, Nneka Cummins, NWAKKE (more info here)
● 2021/23: Emily Abdy, Atefeh Einali, Elischa Kaminer, Simon Knighton (more info here)
● 2019/20: Blasio Kavuma, Lola de la Mata, Dan Samsa and Yfat Soul Zisso (more info here)
● 2016/17: Beni Giles, Charlotte Harding, Laurence Osborn and Freya Waley-Cohen (more info here)
Support: help make nonclassical air happen
Would you like to play a part in nurturing the next generation of composers and sound artists and help support the new music of the future? We can’t make this work happen without our amazing supporters - if you would like to find out more about helping us continue the Artist in Residence programme into its second year or beyond, please get in touch with Alice Beverley at development@nonclassical.co.uk or find out how you can donate at https://www.nonclassical.co.uk/support-nonclassical
