For my latest project - pending a successful application for the RPS Thea Musgrave award - I'm writing a new piece for the Chelys Consort of Viols who would also like to air their new album Les Ages du Monde (https://www.chelysconsort.co.uk/les-ages-du-monde.html) including music by well-known composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) and Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704). Please see also: https://open.spotify.com/album/1HwNfJaT9KcRF9IvkncQYs?si=r9K14OfFRf6NZhKgIKocZQ

 

The new work I am writing for them is inspired by their album and is also for the same combination of players - five viols and theorbo (six players in total). For context, the viol is a fretted bowed stringed instrument with six or sometimes even seven strings – unlike the violin family instruments which all have four strings. Its lightweight construction, fretted fingerboard and tuning give the viol a unique resonance that was much admired in the 16th and 17th century. The theorbo is a form of bass lute often played alongside viols in this period. The viol family has recently enjoyed a resurgence and is played professionally by groups such as Fretwork, Phantasm and the Rose Consort of Viols. Writing for viols and experiencing the live performance will be an exciting and important career shift for me, although something I have wanted to do for almost thirty years.

 

We would expect to hear the outcome of our application in September. For my application I'm required to provide some evidence of event planning. If successful, the funding would contribute towards my commission fee, performer fees, venue hire and logistics. A provisional concert dates are already confirmed with St Mary’s Church Coffee & Cake Concerts in Chartham village (Saturday 20th February 2027 at 11:00). We are in early discussions with the University of Kent, Deal Festival, King Charles The Martyr, Stour Festival, Folkestone Early Music, and with Music @ Malling. All of these festivals have expressed their interest in our proposal.

 

If my application is successful, the RPS Thea Musgrave award would be between £5,000-£10,000 depending on the number of other applications received. While this outcome would be amazing, the application guidance warns that their own funding is unlikely to cover our entire costs. With all of this in mind, I am also applying to established trusts including the Arts Council, Vaughan Williams Foundation, PRS Foundation, Angel Early Music and many private sponsors. Early responses so far have been encouraging and are almost sufficient to cover our Plan B in case the applications are not successful – to run a smaller scale project involving one concert. If you might consider becoming a sponsor and would like to donate, please either use the link:

 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/matthew-brown-composer

 

Suggested contributions:

£10 – £25 – £50 – £75 – £100 – other

 

Thank you very much for reading and thank you in advance for any sponsorship you might be able to offer. I hope you will be able to come to hear my new composition being performed by this talented group of interesting professional musicians.