Music Patron is the ambitious new online platform connecting composers with patrons.
So much of the great music of the past was sponsored by patronage. Usually, wealthy patrons sponsored composers by ensuring them an income and allowing them to devote themselves to composition.
Music Patron reimagines this idea for the 21st century and makes it accessible to any music lover.
With a one-off or regular monthly donation, anyone can join the community of music patrons. You can help support the work of one or more composers across the UK, or directly support Music Patron’s work towards rebuilding the music sector.
Hear it from our honorary patrons
“Music Patron ensures composers can continue to create by inviting music lovers to connect with and truly support them.”
Judith Weir CBE Composer
Why
Music Patron
exists
The music industry is experiencing one of its most difficult times. Low streaming fees, public funding cuts, and the pandemic have dealt a blow to the creation of new music. Composers have fewer opportunities to take risks and innovate, and their creative freedom suffers.
Music Patron wants to change this status quo.
Our goal is to connect thousands of patrons with the most exciting composers. We want Music Patron to channel unrestricted and significant funding to hundreds of music writers across the UK.
There are several ways to support.
Patrons can support one or more composers with a small monthly donation, giving them a more sustainable income.
100% of the monthly patron donation will go to the composer.
With this modern form of patronage, composers regain freedom to create new music.
Patrons become active participants in the music-making process: they receive exclusive updates, and access a unique window into the composer’s world. A rewarding and motivating experience for patrons and composers.
Patrons can also support the work we do at Music Patron directly, with monthly or one-off donations.
Get involved in the future of music
Hear it from our patrons
“It’s wonderful to be welcomed into a composer’s world. Supporting an artist on Music Patron feels like being invited into their studio after hours. Exploring the world through a composer’s outlook is like nothing else.”
Patron
There are no hidden costs: 100% of donations go to the composers.
A trusting relationship with transparent funding
There are no hidden costs: 100% of donations go to the composers. You can cancel or switch your support at any time, just get in touch.
Music Patron’s operating costs are covered in several ways:
- Gift Aid donations
- Regular donations via the Amplify Music Patron fund
- One-off donations via the Support Music Patron fund
- Optional donations that patrons can choose to add to their monthly contribution
Music Patron is a start-up project incubated within Sound and Music, the UK’s national organisation for new music, and a charity (registered charity no. 1124609).
FOR COMPANIES, INVESTORS, AND VISIONARY MINDS
Become a Visionary Patron: invest in the future of music
Music Patron is driven by a clear vision: the entire music ecosystem can change for the better, and we are part of this evolution.
If you recognise yourself in this vision, you could become one of our Visionary Patrons and help us realise Music Patron’s potential.
We welcome all creative minds, companies and organisations who want to invest in the future new music with larger donations, sponsorships or partnerships.
Find out more about our plans and investment options.
Interested? Let’s talk!
Anthony Bolton
The man behind the idea
Music Patron is the brainchild of composer, financier and philanthropist Anthony Bolton.
“Music Patron facilitates the collection of smaller amounts from a much larger number of people, which, together, can add up to a meaningful income for a composer.
Additionally, Music Patron creates direct relationships between patrons and composers in a way that has yet to be possible to date.
With a direct connection, the patron will experience the rewards of being much more involved in the creative process.”
The people who make it possible
We’re a small dedicated team, passionate about changing the landscape for composers and new music creators in the UK.
Sign up to our newsletter to hear our news first or email us.
join as a composer
Are you a composer?
Recruitment for new composers to join the Music Patron cohort is now open.
Music Patron brings together the traditional concept of patronage with the impact of grassroots collective giving. Composers build a community of patrons, each giving Music Patron a regular monthly amount. We then use 100% of those sums to support with composers. This generates a meaningful, game-changing income stream for composers.
We are excited to work with composers who want to build a community of supportive patrons, and share their creative process.
