This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council on behalf of ORA Singers for the attention of all music teachers.
We've opened applications for our 2026 Young Composers' Programme, and I wanted to ask if you would be willing to share this exciting opportunity with your network of schools, teachers, and students.
This scheme is fully funded and is completely free to all students involved, and it is open exclusively to those at non fee-paying secondary schools across the UK.
Each year, we welcome 50 students who receive free, first-class mentoring in composition with professional composers. Here's a summary of what's on offer:
Young Composers:
Receive the flagship package of one-to-one coaching with professional composers, who guide them through the process of writing a new piece;
Attend a Workshop with ORA Singers and a professional composer, where they have their ideas and sketches sung by our professional musicians who offer tailored feedback;
Write a new piece which ORA Singers perform and record in concert;
Receive a video recording of their new piece + feedback from a panel of industry experts.
Apprentices:
Receive first-class mentoring through a course of online Zoom workshops with composer, Rory Wainwright Johnston;
Receive coaching on composition skills, history, harmony, texture, writing for voices, and more;
Receive regular feedback on tasks and compositions;
Opportunities to meet with professional composers and undergraduates to learn about the music industry, and gain tips on applying to University/Conservatoire.
Pictured top to bottom: The 2025 Young Composers' Workshop with ORA Singers, and a 2024 Young Composer receiving applause at the Showcase.
The scheme has now mentored over 250 students across the UK from a whole variety of backgrounds, and many have gone on to secure places at some of the UK's top Universities and Conservatoires. Some have even become professional composers and have been commissioned on the international stage. Hear testimonials from alumni here.
We are not looking for polished composers, but for students with a love of music and those who will benefit most from what the scheme has to offer.
How to apply:
Applying is simple and easy. Applicants need to complete an online Application Form and upload an Entry Composition. Entry Compositions can be anything they've composed before, for any genre/instrumentation - they can be a complete piece or part of a piece. They do not need to write a new piece to apply.
The deadline to apply is Thursday 12th February 2026. Apply here: https://www.orasingers.com/young-composers
Please share this opportunity:
Reaching students is the hardest part of our charitable work, and we need to reach as many young people as possible.
We'd be grateful if you could share this opportunity with your schools, music groups, and music leaders to encourage your students to apply.
I've included a short news item at the bottom of this email which you're welcome to use for a newsletter or something similar.
I've also attached the poster which you'd be welcome to use around your centre, or pass on to potentially interested students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this email or reach us on youngcomposers@orasingers.com