A new way of Supporting composers

Reimagining patronage

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 regular monthly donation, anyone can join the community of music patrons and directly support one or more composers across the UK.

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
Master of the King’s Music

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.

 

Patrons support one or more composers with a small monthly donation, giving them a more sustainable income.

100% of the monthly patron donation will go directly 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.

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.”

David Lasserson
Patron

There are no hidden costs: 100% of donations go directly to the composers.

A trusting relationship with transparent funding

There are no hidden costs: 100% of donations go directly 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 two ways:

  • Gift Aid donations;
  • 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. We have lots of investment options and partnerships ideas, but we are equally open to new suggestions.

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

Meet the team

Sonia Stevenson

Head of Music Patron

My role is to bring Music Patron to life!

The work combines my deep love of new music (I’ve worked as agent to many composers, Promotion Manager at Faber Music, and PA to the composer/conductor Esa Pekka Salonen), my entrepreneurial spirit (I founded my own festival, St Andrews Voices) and my passion to bring unique cultural experiences to a wider audience (as Artistic Director of Lichfield Festival and Chair of the British Arts Festivals Association).

The team have nicknamed me The Devil’s Advocate of Music Patron as I’m always asking ‘Is there a better way to do this?’

Kunal Singhal

PATRON GROWTH Manager

I see my role as showing people the true potential of Music Patron and getting people excited about being more directly involved with the future of music and culture in the UK.

For Music Patron, I will be drawing on my experience as founder and manager of live music promotion Chaos Theory Music, as well as a decades’ worth of experience as a digital marketer for many social and creative enterprises. This is the first time I’m stepping out of the freelance world in 15 years, because I’ve finally found a team whose supportive culture and creative thinking actually make our goals feel achievable. Let’s reignite UK culture and bring our talented composers to the world!

Nathalie Meghriche

Composer Liaison Manager

I have the best role at Music Patron, working closely with our amazing cohort of composers. My role involves supporting composers to connect and interact with their audiences through the platform, and developing ideas to transport patrons into a composer’s unique world.

Before joining Music Patron, I worked in a mixture of creative settings within the arts and charity sectors. I may have the dubious honour of being the only team member not to play a musical instrument, but I bring many decades of music-listening experience to the party.

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 a regular monthly amount. Together 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 with them.

 

Black and white portrait of composer Ayanna Witter Johnson in a yellow circle. Ayanna's right arm is bent backwards, holding a double bass behind her back.
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