UK composers and artists need to be given more support and respect in the same way as they are in mainland Europe, a classical music expert has urged.
Graham McKenzie, artistic director and chief executive of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (HCMF), made the comments as part of a panel discussion at the Composer’s Seminar event, hosted by PRS for Music and Trinity Laban.
Comparing the difference between the UK and the rest of mainland Europe, he said that irrespective of the government in power, Britain has never particularly liked to support artists to make art.
‘You can support artists if you can explain what they’re doing in terms of regeneration or social cohesion, but simply to continue to do what you do best and be an artist in this country is very difficult,’ he explained.
The panel, which was led by Trinity Laban’s Dominic Murcott and featured composers Alwynne Pritchard and Rolf Wallin, agreed that the musical environment in the UK needs to more supportive of composers and allow them to spend greater periods refining work - something they felt there is little time for in Britain.
Graham continued: ‘In other countries it’s much easier to receive financial support to develop work over a longer period. However, rather than be able to refine what you do, test it and work on it again, you only get funded by a project once in the UK.’
This year's HCMF runs 20-29 Novemember - visit the HCMF website to find out more about the event.
Graham McKenzie, artistic director and chief executive of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (HCMF), made the comments as part of a panel discussion at the Composer’s Seminar event, hosted by PRS for Music and Trinity Laban.
Comparing the difference between the UK and the rest of mainland Europe, he said that irrespective of the government in power, Britain has never particularly liked to support artists to make art.
‘You can support artists if you can explain what they’re doing in terms of regeneration or social cohesion, but simply to continue to do what you do best and be an artist in this country is very difficult,’ he explained.
The panel, which was led by Trinity Laban’s Dominic Murcott and featured composers Alwynne Pritchard and Rolf Wallin, agreed that the musical environment in the UK needs to more supportive of composers and allow them to spend greater periods refining work - something they felt there is little time for in Britain.
Graham continued: ‘In other countries it’s much easier to receive financial support to develop work over a longer period. However, rather than be able to refine what you do, test it and work on it again, you only get funded by a project once in the UK.’
This year's HCMF runs 20-29 Novemember - visit the HCMF website to find out more about the event.
