In the Making 2025 (for young composers and music creators)

Applications are now open for In the Making 2025 -the UK's only year-long artist development programme for talented young music creators and composers aged 14-18. It supports those passionate about composing in any form and is open to all, regardless of instrument, musical interests, creative goals, background, or location.

Each year, we welcome 50 young music creators from across the UK, helping them develop their composing, recording, and performing skills while building confidence, experience, and creative ambition. Guided by leading composers and tutors, they explore new possibilities in music and take meaningful steps toward their artistic and professional goals.

The programme offers a mix of opportunities, including a week-long residential at the University of Huddersfield, online skills sessions, bespoke creative composing tasks, and social activities. In the Making also helps you build an artistic portfolio, with every participant receiving a professional recording of their music-featured on our YouTube channel and broadcast on our radio show on Resonance FM.

The deadline to submit application is Sunday 13 April 2025 at 23:59 UTC.

"It increased my confidence and made me feel like this could be an actual career for me. I now feel like I have a clearer future in music and know what steps to take."

- Eva, In the Making Alumni

• Aged 14-18 by 19 July 2025
• A UK resident

Applicants who have attended the In the Making residential or Sound and Music Summer School more than once before will automatically be placed on the waiting list and notified if a place becomes available.

Whether you create in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), with a band or orchestra, use notation, improvise or are curious about experimenting with new ways of making sound, we want to support you to bring your creative ideas to life with the guidance of industry experts from a range of musical styles.

• Love creating or writing your own music and sounds?
• Have ideas to shape new forms of music and sound?
• Want to be part of a growing network of amazing young creators?
• Want to receive guidance and tutoring from some of the UK's most inspiring composition tutors and musicians?
• Want the opportunity to expand your portfolio?
• Want to hear your music performed, recorded, professionally mixed and played on radio?

Then In the Making is the perfect opportunity for you!

In the Making draws on Sound and Music's 16 years of learning and legacy delivering young artist development programmes for 1000s of young people, with 99% of 2024 participants saying they would recommend In the Making to their peers.

• Increased creative skills, knowledge, and confidence
• Professional composition, recording, and performance experience
• Expanded portfolio for applications and opportunities
• Enhanced understanding of music career pathways
• Stronger ambition and progression opportunities

• More talented young music creators from diverse backgrounds across the UK participate in inclusive and inspiring talent development
• Talented young music creators realise their potential irrespective of geography, background or barriers
• More talented young music creators are inspired, informed and nurtured to progress into music careers
• A strong pipeline of diverse, original and exciting young composers and music creators shape new music in the UK

"In the Making gives young musicians the chance to let their creativity blossom. It's an unmatched opportunity that just isn't available elsewhere and was one of the most incredible musical experiences I've ever had. In the Making is essential to the future of new music in the UK!"

- Billie, Alumni and In the Making Pastoral Support Staff

In the Making is subsidized through the generous support of our funders, partners and supporters.

As a result, the course participation fees you see below are significantly lower than the actual costs of delivering the programme, which are over £3,000 per participant, and we are able to offer places at a reduced or no fee for participants from low-income households to ensure everyone can participate.

The standard participation fee for In the Making is £836, and includes:

• All activities during the Residency Phase (27 July - 1 August 2025) and Development Phase (August 2025 - June 2026)
• Accommodation and full board for the Residency Phase
• Access to state-of-the-art production and recording facilities at Huddersfield University's music building
• Expert tuition by acclaimed composers and tutors, such as Laura Bowler, Tony Nwachukwu, Eddie Dobson and David Horne
• Your works workshopped, performed and recorded by our ensemble-in-residence
• Career and industry sessions led by our partners, such as Steinberg
• Online workshops and support with continuing to develop your works over a year
• Pastoral staff training and support throughout the programme

The fee for attending In the Making Residency Phase on a day-time basis is £536. This is only an option if you are a local resident and you want to attend our activities at the University of Huddersfield in the daytime and do not need overnight accommodation. This includes all the activities as described above, but only includes lunch and dinner and no accommodation during the Residency Phase. Please note parents/guardians will need to arrange for transport to and from the Residency Phase activities at the University of Huddersfield.

In line with our Fair Access Principles, we want to ensure all of our programmes are as inclusive and accessible to everyone and cost is not a barrier to participation.

If you would like to inquire about or arrange access support with applying to In the Making or have any question around accessibility, please contact Grace Bailey ().

Applications are open and the deadline to submit application is Sunday 13 April 2025 at 23:59 UTC.

In the application, we ask you about the personal and contact details of yourself and a parent/guardian who we will contact regarding your application outcome; any support you need with access, and we will ask you to submit our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. We will also ask why you want to join In the Making, your musical interests and influences, and some information about how you make music and sound.

As part of our commitment to access support, we offer alternative ways of applying. Please get in touch with Grace Bailey () if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to the application process.

"In the Making is your opportunity to begin building your musical creative self. If you're curious about what sort of music you would write with the time, space, and support to do it, there's no better opportunity than this programme."