YSWN joins PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network with Changing Gear

We’re over the moon to announce that YSWN is joining 72 other organisations around the UK in the PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network.

The new network brings together a range of UK organisations who support musicians in their creative and career development. It includes past YSWN collaborators such as Brighter Sound and hcmf// alongside local and national organisations sharing many of our aims, such as Come Play With Me and Saffron. As part of the network, YSWN will be able to work more closely with the other members to support music creators and amplify each others’ work.

Each Talent Development Network member receives a grant from PRSF; YSWN’s funding will support Changing Gear, our new programme supporting emerging music creators based in Yorkshire and the Humber through commissions, equipment and support to develop exciting new works and access high-profile performance opportunities.

In the first year, three women and minority gender composers working across a range of genres will be selected to create new music inspired by the life and work of electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram, in celebration of her centenary. The new works will be performed during 2025, both in partnership with The Oram Awards’ celebrations of Daphne Oram’s centenary, and at the reopened National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, coinciding with the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme.

YSWN’s Coordinator & Project Producer Abi Bliss says: “Support from PRS Foundation and PPL’s Talent Development Network makes it possible for YSWN’s Changing Gear programme to boost the artistic careers of women and minority gender composers, who are still underrepresented in electronic music, and overcome barriers faced by emerging music creators by offering support and access to specialist sound equipment.

“Daphne Oram was a pioneer both in her approach to sound and by breaking into a male-dominated world and we hope that the works created for Changing Gear celebrate her legacy in the best way possible.”

Keep your eyes peeled for our Changing Gear composer callout coming soon!