Birdsong Music Publishing is proud to announce a new partnership with the Emerging Black Composers Project (EBCP). The EBCP is an outstanding initiative, now in its fifth year, that spotlights early-career Black American composers and their music. Led by San Francisco Conservatory of Music and in partnership with San Francisco Symphony, the competition offers the winning composer a $15,000 award plus a new commissioned work to receive its world premiere with San Francisco Symphony. The winner also receives mentorship from SFCM Music Director Edwin Outwater, and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the resident conductor of engagement and education at SF Symphony and chair of the EBCP selection committee.

Birdsong Music is honoured to join this partnership and will be offering the winning composer the chance to have their new commissioned work published by Birdsong Music and to receive two years of mentorship with an experienced and dedicated team of Composer Managers and Publishing Managers. As well as receiving support on the practicalities of publishing and general career guidance, the composer will benefit from having the commissioned work added to the Birdsong Music catalogue from where it will be promoted and championed to leading orchestras, presenters, and conductors worldwide.

“Our agreement with Birdsong makes a necessary step in a composers’ development that much easier,” said Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the resident conductor of engagement and education at SF Symphony and chair of the EBCP selection committee. ​“Once a piece is composed, it needs life beyond the composer’s studio. With Birdsong’s support, our winning composers and laureates are assured the help they need, in bringing their music to the world.”

Sam Wilcock, Head of Birdsong, says: ​“The Emerging Black Composers Project is a bold, far-sighted initiative whose impact continues to grow with every year. In joining this partnership, Birdsong will offer publishing expertise as well as an unrivalled network of industry contacts. We look forward to working with the winning composers to support them in the next steps of their careers and in bringing their work to a wider audience.”

Birdsong Music Publishing is an Associated Company of the internationally-leading HarrisonParrott Group. A boutique publishing company, it is committed to delivering the best possible service to its bespoke roster of composers. The dedicated team are passionate about advocating for new music and promoting a diverse range of soundworlds. Alongside supporting life-long creative goals of its composers, one of Birdsong Music’s key objectives is to drive change in the classical music industry and to see the musical voices of today represented and celebrated.

Learn more about the Emerging Black Composers Project.