ABRSM Composer Mentoring Programme 2026 (Asia)

Application Period
9 Mar – 7 Apr
Programme Period
July – November
An exceptional programme for emerging and early career composers to empower, network and develop new compositions.
Apply before 7 Apr
About the Programme

ABRSM's composer mentoring programme, Writing for Music Education, is a six-month programme for emerging and early career composers looking to explore the world of composing music for educational settings. Having run the programme in the UK since 2021 and in Asia since 2024, we are delighted to be running the programme again in 2026 for emerging and early career composers based across Asia.

Recruitment for the programme is supported through our partnership with Rondo Production. While the majority of the six-month programme will be online, there will be an in-person workshop series from Friday 3 – Monday 6 July 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As well as workshops focused on composing music for educational settings, composers will join the 2026 ABRSM Piano Competition (Southeast Asia) as part of the delivery team.

The programme runs for six months from June to November 2026, as follows:

  • Tuesday 16 June, 8pm – 9.30pm (Malaysia time): Welcome session (online)
  • Friday 3 – Monday 6 July: In-person workshops (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  • July – November: Online sessions and 1:1 mentoring

Please read the full terms of participation before applying: Programme Schedule & Terms

Apply Now
Programme Team

Mentors

James Welburn
James Welburn
Programme Lead
Sarah Watts
Sarah Watts
Lead Mentor
Alan Bullard
Alan Bullard
Piano Mentor
Vivian Chua
Vivian Chua
Ensemble Mentor
Who Should Apply

Target Participants

  • Interested in writing music for educational settings
  • In the early stages of their careers as composers
  • Not tied into an exclusive publishing contract
  • Have a working knowledge of traditional notation and western classical music
  • Based in Asia and can attend in-person workshops in Kuala Lumpur (3–6 July 2026)
  • Can commit to the full range of in-person and online sessions
  • Have good understanding of English
  • Happy to take part in ABRSM's communications campaigns

Programme Benefits

Music education around the world needs more composers who write well for beginners. ABRSM is keen to open up opportunities to more people to work as composers and arrangers.

  • Explore writing for music education, including ABRSM's commissioning and publishing processes
  • Bespoke mentoring from leading educational composers
  • Deep-dive into ABRSM's exam marking criteria
  • Connect with ABRSM's network of partner organisations
  • Write to a brief, including for ABRSM exam syllabuses, with possibility of inclusion in future syllabuses
  • Join a community of emerging composers in an inclusive, creative environment
Practical Information
Costs

Costs

No fees required. In order to make music education more accessible, ABRSM may be able to provide financial support to help with travel costs for the in-person workshops in Kuala Lumpur. Further information will be shared upon acceptance.

Commitments

Commitments

Participants must attend the online welcome session (16 June) and the in-person workshops in Kuala Lumpur (3–6 July inclusive). Participants are encouraged to join as many subsequent online sessions as possible. Composers will need to set aside time to work on compositional tasks set during the programme.

Programme Schedule & Terms

Apply now to unleash your composing talent!

Unlock your composing potential with ABRSM's Writing for Music Education programme - for hands-on experience in educational settings!
Apply before 7 Apr
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