Since 2023 The Vaughan Williams Foundation has awarded grants of over £1.2 million for composer projects in the UK and abroad.
Everybody’s project and financial need is different, and competition for grants is stiff. The Foundation is currently only able to support around 30% of the applications we receive. The grant bands below are given for guidance only – the Trustees will consider every application individually in context. The Trustees’ decision is final.
Supporting the work of professional composers
1 Performances £750-6,000 (Projected average grant in this category £2,500)
Grants are generally made in proportion to the scope and reach of the planned performances. Here is a general indication of the size of grants that we give:
Live performances – chamber/small scale: £750-£3000
Live performances – large ensemble/orchestra: £1K-4K
Concert Series/Tours: £2K-£6K
Composer Development Schemes: £2K-£6K – preference given to schemes where composers’ participation costs are covered and they receive a fee or bursary to help cover their time commitment.
2 Festivals £2K-10K (Projected average grant in this category £3,500)
Festival Grants are given when a significant part of the repertoire is eligible and will depend on the size of the festival.
3 Grants for commissions £1K-6K (Projected average grant in this category £3,000)
It is important to the Foundation that composers are properly recompensed for their work. Please take care when budgeting for composer costs which are often overlooked or ‘guestimated’. Commission fees should be provisionally agreed with the composer (and their publisher/agent where appropriate) in advance of an application being made.
Commission Fees are not dictated by the Musicians’ Union. Rates vary widely and will depend on what stage of their career the composer has reached. Generally, they should reflect the time that the composer will have to devote to the work. The usual method of calculation is on a per minute basis multiplied by a factor determined by the forces scored for (ie a 5’ orchestral work will cost more than a 5’ violin solo).
Other related commissioning costs that might need to be budgeted for are:
– Fees for a co-creative such as a librettist.
– The costs of preparing performing materials and/or the hire or purchase of performing materials.
– A composer’s time spent in research and development workshops.
– Composer’s travel and attendance fees for rehearsals/workshops
– Pre-concert talks
– Fees for a co-creative such as a librettist.
4 Recordings (audio or video) £1K-6K (Projected average grant in this category £3,000)
It is important to the VWF that the recordings we fund are made publicly available. We do not fund recordings which are made for private or archival use only. Preference is given to recordings which are commercially distributed to generate income for the composer and to ‘portrait’ recordings which solely reflect the work of one composer. We also prioritise recordings which make a significant impact for the composer(s) recorded – eg those which contain substantial, previously unrecorded, works. (ie less preference for small scale mixed repertoire recordings).
Composer Debut Recordings (first full-length recording dedicated to an individual composer):
Chamber £2-4K
Orchestral £2-6K
Portrait (full-length recordings dedicated to a single composer including previously unrecorded repertoire)
Chamber £2K-4K
Orchestral £2K-6K
Mixed repertoire
Chamber £1K-£2K
Orchestral £1-£3K
Larger grants may occasionally be given for a series of recordings of eligible repertoire, commercially distributed.
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The work and legacy of Ralph and Ursula Vaughan Williams
1 Performance: £500-£10K (Projected average grant in this category £2,500)
Strong priority is given to rarely performed large-scale works – particularly opera or stage works. Well-known works such as The Lark Ascending or Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis will not be supported. We may also support performances presented in special contexts such as music societies or local festivals; or in territories where RVW’s music is seldom heard.
Amateur Orchestras: £650-£1,000 (Projected average grant in this category £750)
When performing large orchestral works of RVW, amateur ensembles can apply for assistance with music rental costs. Occasional additional support may also be given for soloists or instrumentalist fees where it is necessary to bring in additional performers.
2 Projects which further the legacy of RVW and UVW: £1K-3K (Projected average grant in this category £2,500)
This is a broad category which includes recording or filming of rarely performed RVW works; publication of previously unpublished RVW works or the creation of new editions by existing publishers; research into the music of RVW; the acquisition by public institutions of RVW research materials such as autograph manuscripts or correspondence; projects or resources that educate the public about the life and work of RVW or UVW and contribute to their legacy.
Larger grants may very occasionally be given for a substantial project of national or international reach.
