PRS launch Public Vote for New Music Award 2010

PRS for Music Foundation has launched its first-ever public vote for the New Music Award 2010 – which looks for the UK’s most groundbreaking new musical idea.

Members of the public will be able to choose their favourite from the five shortlisted entries, which will be screened for free at arts venues across the UK this summer.

The shortlisted ideas cover the widest possible range of musical genres from electronic and site specific to acoustic and African-inspired beats.

New Music Award 2010 shortlist:

 aroundNorth – a “stellar orchestra” based on the rotation of the stars around the Celestial North Pole

 Automata Musica – combines the skills of composer and craftsman to make “automatic instruments” which audience members can play

 The Battle of the Wordsmiths – recreates African musical instruments through beatboxing which introduces western audiences to the ancient traditions of Yoruba culture

 The Organ of Corti –recycles existing sounds to create new ways of listening

 SATSYMPH – a “satellite symphony” delivered through an iPhone app

The people’s choice will count as one vote on the judging panel for the award. This year’s judges are artist Martin Creed, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Bishi, composer and pianist Michael Finnissy, pianist and conductor Joanna MacGregor, and music journalist Paul Morley. Charlotte Higgins, the Chief Arts Writer for The Guardian, will chair the panel.

The winner of the New Music Award 2010 will be awarded a £50,000 prize at a glittering ceremony in the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, London, on 16 September and their winning new musical work will premiere in 2011.


Voting ends midnight Sunday 5th September 2010.