Martin Read Foundation

Martin Read Foundation Martin Read Foundation, registered charity no.: 115661 - supporting young composers through mentoring bursaries & the annual Festival of Contemporary Music.

The Martin Read Foundation provides specialist support for aspiring young composers - a subject that was very close to Martin’s heart. The scheme is aimed primarily at composers who are in their last 4 years of schooling. MRF provides specialist support which is otherwise not available at this educational level, thereby strengthening applications for study at conservatoire or university. Funds are

assigned once a year to an average of 3 young composers, at around £300 per successful applicant, Applications are invited during the Autumn term, and may be for any reasonable purpose that would benefit the candidate as a composer. MRF's support includes:
- specialist mentoring by established composers who are connected to the Foundation;
- performance-composition workshops, which others can observe, masterclass-style. Award-holders are commissioned to write a short piece for the MRF ensemble of residence. These works are premiered at the annual Martin Read Foundation Festival, which is held each Spring. Martin was an inspirational composer and teacher of music in Alton, Hampshire, until his sudden death age 53. The Trustees of the Foundation, believe that Martin would have supported this exciting venture.

26/04/2026

Would you like to share your passion for music and inspire young minds across Hampshire?
Check out our teaching vacancies in the comments below.

Annual Festival - a week ago today!!! A win, win event for all involved.We were very fortunate in having the superb Lond...
26/04/2026

Annual Festival - a week ago today!!! A win, win event for all involved.
We were very fortunate in having the superb London Chamber Ensemble Quartet as our ensemble in residence. It was excellent to hear them play the award-holders pieces again - LCEQ having premiered them at RCM in March - and to hear the young composers talk a bit about them, too. We wish them all the best for their composing journeys.
Also that day, community musicians formed a string ensemble, led by LCEQ, exploring new pieces by alumnus Joe Jolliffe and mentor Simon Speare, along with Samuel Barber’s much-loved Adagio.
The choir worked its socks off under Ali Willis’s skilful direction, revisiting her highly effective version of ‘Sumer is Icumin In’ and had such fun with Britten's round from Peter Grimes: Old Joe has Gone Fishing’. The choral Antiphon from Vaughan Williams ‘Five Mystical Songs’ arranged with string quartet by Pande Shahov, was our finale - a fitting end to an exciting day.
This was MRF Festival doing what it has set out to do: supporting and inspiring young composers, while bringing quality opportunities for exploring contemporary music to a wider audience.

Unboxed! Ready for you to join us on Sunday 19th at The Nutshell, Wi******er, for our Annual Festival! Don’t miss this s...
16/04/2026

Unboxed! Ready for you to join us on Sunday 19th at The Nutshell, Wi******er, for our Annual Festival! Don’t miss this showcase for our young composers, featuring the inspirational London Chamber Ensemble Quartet, with string players and singers from the local community. Doors & bar open at 6pm, concert from 6.30pm. www.martinreadfoundation.org

Calling string players: unique opportunity to play in a group led by the inspirational London Chamber Ensemble Quartet! ...
03/04/2026

Calling string players: unique opportunity to play in a group led by the inspirational London Chamber Ensemble Quartet! Sunday April 19th, The Nutshell, Wi******er. Hoping to see you there!
www.martinreadfoundation.org

CALLING STRING PLAYERS!! Annual Festival, The Nutshell, Wi******er, Sun. April 19th. Join with the London Chamber Ensemb...
27/03/2026

CALLING STRING PLAYERS!! Annual Festival, The Nutshell, Wi******er, Sun. April 19th. Join with the London Chamber Ensemble Quartet to workshop 3 pieces for strings and a finale for strings and voices. Composers to include Samuel Barber (Adagio) and Vaughan Williams (5th Antiphon). Workshops from 12.00, early evening concert.
Further info & tickets (£12.50 / £6.25 students, towards LCEQ & venue hire) at:
www.martinreadfoundation.org
Bring a picnic.
Join us for an exciting day.

Absolutely fantastic day at the Royal College of Music for the premieres by our 4 award-holders, presided by our patron ...
21/03/2026

Absolutely fantastic day at the Royal College of Music for the premieres by our 4 award-holders, presided by our patron Dame Judith Weir. Wonderful to have partnered with the Junior Department for a second time. Magical interpretations by our ensemble in residence the London Chamber Ensemble Quartet. Congratulations to all. Looking forward to hearing them again at our Festival, Wi******er, 19th April. Come & Sing, Come & Play! Tickets at: www.martinreadfoundation.org

Scheme ‘26 has begun! Our newly awarded young composers will be writing for string quartet. We welcomed Carlos, Ernest, ...
18/01/2026

Scheme ‘26 has begun! Our newly awarded young composers will be writing for string quartet. We welcomed Carlos, Ernest, Immy, Matthew and Tasha - meeting on-line with their composer mentors before the first of 4 in-person events: ‘Introduction to Writing for String Quartet’, expertly led by London Chamber Ensemble Quartet at Royal College of Music. To help them in their task, they’ve borrowed books & scores from the considerable Martin Read library. Looking forward to the premieres: 21st March at RCM.

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