Helen Hamlyn Panufnik Composers' Scheme
A supported opportunity to compose for a full symphony orchestra.
The Helen Hamlyn Panufnik Composers’ Scheme offers six early-career composers each year the opportunity to write for a symphony orchestra.
The scheme is guided by renowned composer Colin Matthews, with support from Christian Mason. Together with additional tailored support, the scheme enables composers to experiment with and develop their orchestral writing skills through creating a three-minute composition over twelve months.
The resulting compositions are performed by the LSO, and discussed in a public workshop at the culmination of the scheme. Two of the compositions are then chosen to be developed further, with commissions given for five- and ten-minute works to be premiered by the Orchestra in an LSO concert at the Barbican.
Who Is It For?
The scheme welcomes applications from composers with a diverse range of musical approaches and backgrounds who are interested in writing for a full symphony orchestra, but have never had a full orchestral work performed in concert by a professional orchestra before.
We are particularly interested in applications from composers from historically under-represented groups such as ethnically diverse composers, women or non-binary composers, disabled composers and composers from outside the classical tradition
We support Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles, a code of best practice for running successful, open and inclusive artist development programmes, competitions and awards for composers.
How to Apply
Applications are currently closed.
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Scheme Participants, Alumni & Commissions
Related Events
Soundhub Showcase
LSO Discovery
Friday 16 May 2025 • 7pm
Join us for an evening of cutting-edge contemporary music with four world premieres from our LSO Soundhub 2024/25 Members.
LSO Helen Hamlyn Panufnik Composers' Scheme Workshops
LSO Discovery
Monday 14 July 2025 • 10.30am
In these free public workshops, witness a pivotal point in the process of writing a new three-minute orchestral piece, as the LSO play works by the latest cohort of Panufnik composers.
Sibelius, Ruders, Paxton and Adès
Thomas Adès and Sean Shibe
Sunday 19 October 2025 • 7pm
Thomas Adès leads the LSO in Poul Ruders' kaleidoscopic Second Guitar Concerto, with soloist Sean Shibe, Sibelius’ rich, evocative Third Symphony, a UK premiere by Alex Paxton, and Adès' own Aquifer.
‘My composer husband, Andrzej Panufnik, received three commissions and recorded most of his symphonic music with the LSO. He worried about how young composers could nowadays attain essential experience with highest level orchestras: this project fulfils his dream.’ – Lady Panufnik
The LSO Helen Hamlyn Panufnik Composers’ Scheme was devised by the Orchestra in association with Lady Panufnik, in memory of her late husband, the composer Sir Andrzej Panufnik, and generously supported by Lady Hamlyn and The Helen Hamlyn Trust.
Header image © Matt Jolly
