Guidelines for composers wishing to deposit materials at bmic

Thank you for your enquiry about depositing material in the bmic collection. We only accept material by classical British composers or composers fully resident in this country and not represented by their own MIC.

Inevitably, with limitations on space, the bmic cannot accept all the material it is offered by composers. For any composer not already represented at bmic, who is thinking of contacting us with a view to housing their material, our current guidelines for accepting material are as follows:

1: the work is contracted to a major publisher;

2: the work has been commissioned or performed by a major performing arts body, such as a BBC orchestra, or a leading ensemble or soloist. We will also accept works where their composition has received significant support from a major funder, e.g. Arts Council England, PRS Foundation

3: the work has been performed or shortlisted under the auspices of the Society for the Promotion of New Music (spnm);

4: the work has been composed by a full-member of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters (BACS - formerly the Composers’ Guild of Great Britain, Association of Professional Composers and BASCA) and receiving a significant number of performances from professional performers

5: the composer is PRS registered and receiving a significant number of performances from professional performers

Presentation of Scores

Please note: We cannot accept unbound scores.
Scores should be:

a) Securely bound, preferably using spiral or ring binding. (Comb binding is not as durable). Stiff card covers, front and back, are highly recommended.

b) Clearly labelled with the title of the piece, composer’s name, year of composition, duration of the piece and a full list of instrumentation. This information should ideally be on a separate title page, or the cover.

c) No larger than A4, except where absolutely necessary. Oversize scores create extra work and are likely to delay a work’s entry into the collection.

We also require supporting information with your scores. This should include:

a) Short programme note for each piece.

b) Up to date biographical details, including date and place of birth, a list of works and any relevant press cuttings.

Optional: c) photo of the composer (b & w or colour)

Your scores will do nothing but gather dust if we do not have your
correct contact details.