Sounds Unseen – New Music Commissioning Programme

Sounds Unseen brings together creators from the UK, Germany and ODA-listed countries to create new collaborative works for radio broadcast.

Dawn Scarfe (right) will be providing one-to-one and group sessions with the chosen composers.

We're inviting creators from the UK, Germany and ODA-listed countries to create new collaborative works for radio broadcast. 

This is a continuation of our work with Sound and Music (UK). In year one (2025-26), we commissioned six creators working in cross-cultural pairs. Now, for year two, we are supporting a further ten creators and introducing structured legacy deliverables that extend the impact of each commission beyond the original broadcast. 

Creators will receive commission and production fees, as well as a fee to support the delivery of a legacy outcome. They will also benefit from ongoing online one-to-one and group sessions with UK-based facilitator Dawn Scarfe, and the Sound and Music team, for the duration of the three-month programme. Year two adds a new dimension: each creator will be supported to develop between one and three legacy outputs tailored to their practice and local context, such as educational workshops, local showcase events, extended EP releases or documentary films.

Support

Each creator will receive:

  • £1,500 commission fee
  • up to £200 for production expenses
  • up to £500 towards legacy outcomes
  • four online group sessions with UK-based facilitator
  • three online sessions with a CPL* (in pairs)
  • two online sessions with a CPL* (one-to-one)
  • peer support from the international Sounds Unseen creator community
  • the opportunity to develop their artistic portfolio
  • radio broadcast premiere
  • access support (if required).

* A CPL is a Creative Programme Leader – a dedicated member of the Sound and Music team who supports creators throughout their journey on the programme.  

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, creators must be: 

  • aged 18 or over on 14 October 2026
  • based in Germany or an ODA-listed country (listed below)
  • have an artistic practice working creatively with sound and/or music (any genre)
  • open to collaborating with a creator they have not met or worked with before
  • enthusiastic about developing new work in a cross-cultural context
  • curious about creating work for radio broadcast
  • available for all online sessions (on the dates listed below).

Eligible Countries

Non-ODA countries

  • UK (Sound and Music alumni only – invited via a closed call)
  • Germany

ODA countries

  • Argentina
  • Bangladesh
  • Cuba
  • Egypt
  • India
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Tanzania
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • Uzbekistan
  • Zimbabwe

Programme Timeline

Creators will need to be available for the online sessions taking place on the dates listed below. Times for these sessions will be agreed with selected creators and may vary to accommodate different time zones. The specific dates for the activities taking place in March 2027 will be confirmed in conversation with selected creators and programme partners. 

Please note that if we receive an extraordinarily high number of applications, we may adjust the selection timeline accordingly. 

16 Septmeber 2026

Applications open (ODA countries and UK) 

14 October, 23.59 (BST)  

Application deadline 

21 October, 23.59 (BST)

Access extension application deadline 

22 October – 10 November

Selection 

11 November, 18.00 (GMT)

Applicants notified with the outcome of their application 

23 November 

Meet the team: Sound and Music; British Council 

25 November

Online Session 1: Induction 

9 December

Online Session 2: Collaboration 

13 January 2027 

Online Session 3: Collaboration 

3 February 

Online Session 4: Reflection and next steps 

24 February

Radio commissions completed 

March

Public broadcast on the radio 

March

Legacy deliverables developed and delivered 

Mar 

Online Session 5: Evaluation 

How to apply

Creators based in Germany and ODA-listed countries can apply directly via an open call process. Applicants will be shortlisted by members of the Sound and Music and British Council teams. Here's the application form.

Any questions ...

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact the respective person below.

UK: Sofi Nowell, Senior Creative Programme Leader, Sound and Music.

ODA country: Shannon-Latoyah Simon, Relationship Manager, Music, British Council.

Apply now

See also

Dates:

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