The PRS Foundation and Southbank Centre have officially opened the call for proposals for the New Music Biennial 2025. The festival, known for its innovative approach to contemporary music, will take place in collaboration with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, BBC Radio 3, NMC Recordings, and with backing from Arts Council England. This edition will feature 20 new music pieces, showcasing a mix of brand-new works and repeat performances of outstanding compositions premiered in the last four years.

The New Music Biennial celebrates musical diversity across genres, from classical to electronic, with each piece limited to 15 minutes in duration. This structure aims to offer audiences a dynamic, interactive experience, enabling them to engage with a wide range of musical styles. Organisations from across the UK, including Northern Ireland, are encouraged to apply, either to commission a new work or present an exceptional piece from the recent past. The application deadline is set for 4th November 2024, with the winning entries selected by a panel of prestigious judges.

Performances of the commissioned pieces will take place across two major festival weekends: 6th-8th June 2025 in Bradford as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, and 4th-6th July 2025 at London’s Southbank Centre. In addition to live performances, the music will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and made available through NMC Recordings.

Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation, expressed excitement about the upcoming festival, saying: “We’re delighted to be launching the open call for pieces to be included and created for our 2025 New Music Biennial. Each edition brings not only incredible music across genres but also so many incredible moments from the live performances.”

Mark Ball, Artistic Director at Southbank Centre, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the festival’s role in connecting audiences through music: “We are thrilled the New Music Biennial returns in 2025 for an innovative new programme from leading creatives and composers across the UK.”

Organisations wishing to apply can find out more and submit an application via the PRS Foundation website here.