We’re seeking applications from music creators of a global majority background working in any genre for our next Resonance residency programme.
About Resonance
Resonance was launched by Opera North in 2017 to offer funding, space, time and technical support to professional musicians and composers who are based in the north of England and the midlands, as part of PRS Foundation’s nationwide Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.
In 2023-24, six successful lead artists will each spend a week at Opera North’s Leeds base, developing new ideas, collaborating with performers from other disciplines, and taking their work in new directions. Additional support for this year’s programme comes from The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust.
Each lead artist for this year’s programme will receive:
- Up to a week (5 days) of free rehearsal space in Leeds with basic technical support
- A grant of up to £4,000 to cover fees for those involved and other costs
- Support and advice from technicians, producers and other specialists as needed
- An optional ‘work in progress’ performance opportunity for an invited audience
- An optional short film following the work in progress/performance
- Signposting to further opportunities
Resonance alumni have gone on to create major commissions for Opera North. Music Director on the first Resonance residency, Jasdeep Singh Degun, composed a sitar concerto, Arya, for the Orchestra of Opera North; he was composer and co-music director on the Company’s groundbreaking mainstage opera Orpheus, and is currently Artist in Residence. Orpheus in the Record Shop, written and performed by writer, theatre-maker, beatboxer and 2019 Resonance artist Testament, was filmed for BBC Four during lockdown, and returned to the Leeds Playhouse stage to standing ovations in 2022.
Discover more about the programme from our Resonance artists.
Who
- Applicants must be from a global majority background and live in the Midlands or North of England
- Applicants must be professional composers, musicians or music-makers
- All applicants must be 18 years old or over at the time of application
- Lead artists who have been recipients of Resonance residencies (except The Lockdown Edition) previously are not eligible for further support in 2023.
- We actively welcome applications from neurodivergent and disabled artists to this residency
When
Up to a week’s residency to take place between November 2023 and March 2024. There are six residency opportunities in total. Possible residency dates include but are not restricted to:
2023
30th October – 3rd November
13th – 17th November
2024
12th – 16th February
4th – 8th March
11th – 15th March
18th – 22nd March
25th – 29th March
2nd – 6th April
How to apply
To apply, artists should complete our short form by 10am on Monday 21 August 2023. To qualify for consideration, the lead artist must be a professional composer, musician or music-maker of a global majority background, aged 18 years old or over and living in the north of England or the Midlands.
Opera North is keen to attract the widest possible range of talented artists for the scheme. The entry form is available in alternative formats, including Braille, hard copy and audio, and submissions can be accepted via audio or video. To discuss any additional needs or overcoming further barriers to applying, please contact kathryn.gasic@operanorth.co.uk
Previous Resonance artists Marco Woolf and Supriya Nagarajan will join Opera North Projects on the selection panel. All entrants will be notified of the outcome of their applications within three weeks of the deadline, and shortlisted artists will be invited for an informal meeting to discuss their project.
Audio info
Context & Credits
The Resonance 2023 programme is developed by Opera North Projects, based in Leeds. Opera North Projects is part of the national opera company for the north of England but works with musicians across the spectrum of classical and contemporary music.
Opera North Projects produces the programme in the Howard Assembly Room, a 300-seat venue for an eclectic range of music from Afrobeat and reggae to classical western and Indian music; from blues, folk, jazz and electronic music, to throat singing and live film scores. We hope to reflect this musical diversity in the Resonance 2023-24 programme.
As a signatory of the Keychange initiative founded by PRS Foundation, Opera North is committed to a 50/50 gender balance among recipients of Resonance residencies.
The Resonance scheme has been enabled by Opera North’s membership of the PRS Foundation’s network of Talent Development Partners supported by PPL. The UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development, PRS Foundation supports organisations working at the frontline of talent development with a broad range of individual music creators. This reflects PRS Foundation’s commitment to supporting composers and songwriters of all backgrounds and genres, through direct investment or by helping organisations which nurture artists and promote their music.
Generous additional support for this year’s programme comes from The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust, whose priorities include addressing the discrimination faced by the Global Majority.
