Supporting BCMG

Stephen Saltaire - BCMG Chair, photo by Adrian Burrows

My first awareness of contemporary music came via a chance hearing on the radio of Boulez’s Le Marteau sans Maitre. I was immediately fascinated by its rich colours and  hypnotic rhythms, even though I couldn’t claim to have understood what I had heard. It was the beginning of a journey of exploration which, thirty years later, still excites and rewards me.

It was not, therefore, a difficult decision for me to accept an invitation to join BCMG’s Board and subsequently to become its Chair. BCMG’s contribution to new music over the last two decades has been remarkable and recognised by numerous awards, much critical acclaim and, most importantly of all, the enthusiastic responses of our audiences, in Birmingham and at touring venues around the world. Not only is the group a world class performing ensemble, but we also regularly commission new pieces from established and emerging composers. Through our learning programme, we involve and support individuals of all ages and abilities in the creation and performance of new music.

To create and sustain anything of value requires investment. Whilst we receive generous support from our public funders Arts Council England, West Midlands and Birmingham City Council, we still need to raise substantial amounts from other sources to deliver each year’s ambitious programme. 

One way to support BCMG is to help the vital task of commissioning new works from composers via our Sound Investment scheme. As a Sound Investor myself, I know how exciting it is to be involved in the creation of a new piece, to hear it in rehearsal and to meet its composer.  

The BCMG Foundation is a group of individual supporters giving major financial help to assist the Group's development and support specific areas of work. 

You can also make individual donations to particular concerts or learning projects or you may consider leaving a legacy.  To find out more about how you can support BCMG, please contact Gwendolyn Tietze at gwendolyn@bcmg.org.uk or call BCMG's office on 0121 616 2616.

Finally, a sincere thank you to all those funding bodies, organisations, foundations and individuals who are supporting our work this season and who are listed here. Our cherished Sound Investors are listed against their supported works on the Sound Investment pages of this site.

Stephen Saltaire, BCMG Chair