Founded in 2014, MRF was set up in memory of Martin Read who died suddenly in 2012 aged 53. Martin was an outstanding composer and educator who lived and worked in Hampshire. The Foundation is a platform on which Martin's passions for contemporary music and the teaching of composition to young people continue. It provides a bursary scheme for young composers with public premieres, along with opportunities for the public to explore and perform contemporary composition. ‘You really do change young people’s lives’ - parent of a MRF supported young composer.
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1Music composition only rarely receives specialist support while young composers are at school. Martin Read Foundation fills the gap between general school music education and undergraduate study.
The short film is of 2 young composers describing the experience of support they received from Martin Read Foundation and from Martin himself.
MRF's support is provided FREE to the awarded young composers. The charity is run by volunteers, including trustees and Foundation alumni, so all funds donated go direct to supporting young composers.
Young composers are invited to apply to the Foundation for selection as an award-holder. Around 3 are selected each year and put in touch with expert composers in their musical field, Through this scheme, mentoring is provided, along with composition-performance workshops, towards completing the commission set by MRF for it's performers in residence.
The culmination of each annual scheme is the Annual Festival of Contemporary Music. This not only premieres the young composers commissions, but invites the public to join expert-led scratch ensembles exploring and performing short contemporary pieces.
‘…always massively inspiring, educational and life-affirming’
Sam Christie, MRF Festival choir.
