Adopt a Music Creator 2025 pairings revealed

Making Music is delighted to announce the 2025 pairings for Adopt a Music Creator, our flagship project that brings together emerging music creators and leisure-time music groups to collaborate and create inspiring new music.

Over the course of a year, each music creator will work closely with their paired group, culminating in a premiere performance, professional recording, and a possible radio broadcast. Since its inception in 2000, Adopt a Music Creator has supported artistic development, fostered creative partnerships, and celebrated the diversity of the UK’s vibrant leisure-time music scene.

Introducing the 2025 Adopt a Music Creator Pairings:

Barnet Choral Society with Au Arias (mentored by composer Jenni Pinnock)
Funded by Creative Scotland: Linlithgow String Orchestra with Deborah Shaw (mentored by composer Ailie Robertson)
Southend Vox Chamber Choir with Aran O’Grady (mentored by composer Fraser Trainer)
Redland Wind Band with Katrine Aziz (mentored by composer Lynne Plowman)

This year, we are proud to welcome Composers Edition as a new project partner, alongside continued support from the PRS Foundation, Creative Scotland, and the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust.

This project every year offers a small group of leisure-time music groups and music creators the funded and mentor-supported opportunity to work out the nitty-gritty of creating a new piece of music in a collaborative way. It is not ‘just’ four groups and creators who benefit – the groups usually, having built their confidence, go on to commission again; and the creators build their careers knowing how leisure-time music groups work and what the opportunities are for them in this area.

Barbara Eifler, Chief Executive of Making Music

New Adopt a Music Creator legacy event

For the first time, we are introducing an Adopt a Music Creator legacy event, bringing together participants from the 2024 project – including musical directors, composers, and mentors – to reflect on their experiences, share insights on collaboration, and discuss the impact of the initiative on their musical journeys.

Join us on Tuesday 28 January – Commissioning new music (online event)

If you've missed the event, check out the webinar recording - Commissioning new music: the challenges and benefits

For more information contact Harriet, our Events & Projects Manager, at harriet@makingmusic.org.uk