BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP (BCMG)

BCMG is one of the world’s leading performing ensembles commissioning new work from today's most exciting composers and is passionate about involving and supporting people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in the creation and performance of new music.

We do this through a variety of innovative projects involving composers, BCMG musicians, teachers, researchers, young people and the wider community. The programme reflects BCMG’s artistic identity, responds to local needs and utilises the excellent resources of the Group – the expert performance skills of the players, our links with leading composers in this country and abroad and our acclaimed commissioning programme.

We have an extensive out of school programme of creative music workshops encompassing Music Maze (8-11 year olds), Zigzag Ensemble (12-16 year olds) and Feel the Buzz (14-18 year olds). Performances for young people and families include: annual Family and Schools Concerts which weave the very best contemporary music interwoven with theatrical and visual elements; and, informal Families@ performances where one or two pieces of music taken from our evening concerts are presented earlier in the day.  All Schools Concerts also have associated creative music workshops, teacher INSET days and activity resource packs.

Other strategic interests include: projects that support beginner instrumentalist to compose and perform new music right from the beginning of their musical lives; research projects that explore and aim to improve the quality of teaching of composing in secondary schools; and, the development of online learning resources for music educators and young people.