Composers' Resource

As JAM celebrates 25 years, we not only reflect on our history of commissioning and championing new music but also on how we have evolved as an organisation to support composers in new ways. One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the expansion of JAM’s digital presence, born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. When live performances paused for Covid, JAM managed to get its festival funding repurposed, enabling us to film our whole programme and release it – for free – on digital platforms to ensure that creativity could continue to thrive. Over 20,000 people watched these performances around the world.

From this, the JAM Composers’ Resource was created which is an invaluable free online hub providing composers with essential tools to explore, learn and develop the craft of writing for different forces. Since launching these digital initiatives, JAM’s YouTube channel has grown to over 180 videos, which have collectively been viewed over 130,000 times.

Among our most-watched resources include:
8,000 views on “Pedals on the Organ” – a guide to writing for organ pedals
5,000 views on “Problematic Ending Consonants” – a masterclass on choral diction with VOCES8

With JAM’s commitment to enabling composers, the resulting compositions from our Composers’ Residency programme are professionally performed and recorded, thus helping to promote the next generation of composers, their work and increase the chances of future performances. Through these resources, JAM continues to support composers worldwide, making new music more accessible than ever before. As JAM marks 25 years, we embrace the future with creativity, ensuring that JAM continues to be a driving force for new music.