UK's John Armitage Memorial Trust Calls for String Quartet Composers

Composers will write a short work of up to 10 minutes, to be premiered by the Sacconi Quartet during the JAM on the Marsh festival

Founded in 2000, JAM (John Armitage Memorial Trust) has commissioned major composers in the UK, often partnering with the BBC Singers, London Mozart Players, Onyx Brass, and BBC Radio 3.

Part of the 2023 JAM Masterclass Series, its free summer residency at the annual JAM on the Marsh festival will see composers write specifically for string quartet from July 4-16, 2023.

Collaborators and mentors for the program include the Sacconi Quartet, composers Paul Mealor and John Frederick Hudson, violinist Ruth Rogers, and conductor Nicholas Cleobury.  

Composers will write a short work of up to 10 minutes, to be premiered by the Sacconi Quartet during the last weekend of the festival. Additionally, one composer will be awarded the £500 President’s Commission for the 2024 edition of JAM on the Marsh.

The summer residency is open to composers aged 18 and over who were born, living, or studying in the UK, with previous composition experience. Composers of all diversity and/or backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply for residency. JAM’s free masterclasses for string quartet writing can be found here.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the inspirational Sacconi Quartet and international composer Paul Mealor for our third Masterclass Series focused on writing for string quartet,” wrote JAM on Facebook.