CALL: Associate Composer 19.08.26

Early career composer opportunity

The charity Young Music Makers of Dyfed is inviting applications for a new role as Associate Composer for their pioneering ‘Dyfed Young Composers’ scheme which, in partnership with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, supports composition teaching in secondary schools across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The role

This opportunity runs from September 2026 until April 2027. The Associate Composer will be supported and mentored throughout this period by Resident Composer, Lynne Plowman. You will work in schools alongside Lynne Plowman, to support and encourage GCSE and A level music pupils to compose pieces for a quartet of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The ensemble this year is flute, double bass, harp and percussion. You will attend an initial schools presentation given by the musicians on either 22nd, 23rd or 24th September. Composition workshops will take place in schools across the region between 28th September and 18th December (up to 20 half-day workshops - exact dates to be agreed).

In January 2027, the Associate Composer will deliver a number of online one-to-one composition tutorials to young composers as they complete their compositions, with support from the Resident Composer.

In March 2027, the pupils’ finished compositions will be workshopped and recorded by musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay. The Associate Composer will be invited to attend and potentially lead some of these sessions, supported by the Resident Composer (dates are 12th-18th March).

There will be a final ‘Celebration Concert’ on 11th April at Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire, which the Associate Composer will be invited to attend. The exact time commitment for the Associate Composer role is flexible depending on availability. Workshop and tutorial sessions will be paid at a daily rate of £295 per day plus travel expenses (and meal and accommodation expenses where necessary.)

What we’re looking for

The successful applicant will be an active composer near the start of their career and not in full-time education. You will be a music graduate with a specialism in composition, based in South or West Wales. Welsh speakers are encouraged to apply. You will have excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for sharing the art of music composition with the next generation. Some teaching experience would be useful but is not essential. Ideally, you will have experience composing with both DAWs and with notation software including Sibelius, MuseScore, Flat, NoteFlight.

Due to the location of the schools, you will need a driving licence and your own vehicle for the autumn workshops. If you are selected for the role, you will need to apply for an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply

Please write a short letter of introduction, explaining why this opportunity is right for you and outlining any relevant experience, skills and qualities that you would bring to the role. Please include your CV and a link to a notated PDF score of one of your compositions with an accompanying live (not midi) recording.

Applications should be sent by email to Emyr Wynne Jones (Chair of Trustees of Young Music Makers of Dyfed) at llysynant@gmail.com

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 19th August 2026.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on August 26th.