Get ready to dive into music-making with a new strand of our mysounds youth programme in Bristol. If you're interested in classical contemporary music, expanding your creative experiences and are keen to meet other musicians, we want to hear from you!

What is it?

Join composers Zoë Martlew and Blasio Kavuma for two days of free and inspiring creative workshops. Six places are available for 18-25 year-old instrumentalists and composers who play an instrument to any standard to explore new methods for making music collaboratively.

Saturday 31 October, 11am–5pm
Composer, DJ and producer Blasio Kavuma will lead sessions. “For our workshop, we’re going to be using improvisation to create our own unique tapestry of sound. We’ll spend time discovering special instrumental techniques for their rhythmic potential, and we’ll do some activities that will generate musical moments, which we can then bring together as a group.”

Sunday 1 November, 11am–5pm
Drawing on a lifetime of creative exploration as a performer-composer, Zoë Martlew will guide you through a colourful array of structured starting points for improvisation, performance and composition. “From language patterns, rhythm grids, physical gesture and pitch ciphers to spatialised listening, this hands-on workshop invites you to expand your creative practice in a fun, non-pressured environment. Expect the odd wacky idea, all of it friendly, whatever your level of experience.”

When and Where

mysounds: Creative Weekend in Bristol
Date: Saturday 31 October–Sunday 1 November 2026
Time: 11am–5pm both days
Venue: tbc (in central Bristol)

This opportunity is open to anyone based in the UK, however priority will be given to those from or based in Bristol, North Somerset and South Wales.

Travel to Bristol and accommodation for one night will be provided as part of the programme.

This workshop weekend is provided FREE of charge for all successful applicants. The estimated value of the weekend is £250 per person. CoMA is covering this full cost of participating in the programme thanks to funding from the Finzi Trust.

What previous mysounds participants have said:

“Thank you a lot for this experience of what it’s like to be a professional musician… I really enjoyed the experience.”

“Session was great, really interactive and I really enjoyed making music with the other musicians.”

Who can apply?

There are six places available on the weekend. To apply, you must:

• Be aged 18-25 years old on 25 October 2026
• Confirm you face financial barriers to accessing creative opportunities. For example: applicants are on a low or unreliable income, are unwaged, or are in receipt of benefits etc. We will not ask for evidence, we just ask people to be honest. You can use the estimated value of the course as a guideline: if you would be unable to pay £250 for this opportunity, you could consider yourself eligible.
• Be able to attend both workshop days 11am-5pm, 31 October and 1 November, in Bristol (venue tbc)

An ability to read 5-line notation is advantageous, however it is not a mandatory requirement. Contact Francesca at francesca@coma.org if you are unsure.

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who are part of the Global Majority and/or who identify as Disabled. CoMA is committed to holding one placement for a participant from these identities.

Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. As places are limited, we regret we may not be able to accept everyone who expresses an interest. If you wish to join but see applications have closed, please sign up to be added to the waiting list and we will contact you if a spot becomes available on this programme, or for future mysounds opportunities.

How do I apply?

To apply, please complete this form: mysounds Creative Weekend application

Closing date: The form will close when all places have been filled, or by 11.59pm on 25 October 2026, whichever is sooner.

CoMA Bristol

After the workshops, mysounds participants are invited to join CoMA Bristol, our group of local musicians committed to performing music from the cutting edge. It includes players from a range of musical backgrounds and experience, who share a curiosity about new music and a willingness to explore.

Led by conductor Chris Gibbons, the ensemble provides an inclusive and supportive environment for those new to contemporary music, while offering scope for more experienced musicians to shine. Locally based mysounds members are encouraged to play in CoMA Bristol’s weekly rehearsals through November and December and in their December 2026 concert.

If you have any other questions, please email francesca@coma.org

We look forward to receiving your application!

mysounds is generously supported by the Finzi Trust and Arts Council England.