Commissioning at zerOclassikal
zerOclassikal has been a platform for emerging musicians from diverse heritages developing ‘British SACC (south Asian contemporary classical)’ musicianship, offering a radical approach by facilitating progressions, experiments and developments in the genre since 2013. The project challenges the conventions of ‘traditional’ labels of south Asian music by making sense of the contemporary that surrounds it.
Our project supports a very critical area in the SACC genre and UK contemporary classical music sector – of a generation of growing young musicianship trained from conservatoire standard teaching institutions but for whom professional development infrastructures have been limited.
Commissioning of new work has been our main activity, a genre innovation enabling progressive artistic interventions. Since our inception, we have commissioned fifteen new works touring them to several national destinations of a touring circuit that we built ourselves, while our monthly showcases have platformed emerging artists and work in progress commissions as part of our Artist Development programme – aiming to build industry hitherto not existent due to culture and sector issues forming barriers to involvement. The programme has also supported a successful Sky Award and individual ACE funded tours for many artists…
Since 2020 – we have commissioned six new pieces under the theme DIVERGENCE, followed by four new works under EXTRAPOLATE in 2024.
OPEN CALL FOR COMMISSION PROPOSALS
nuSEEDED is our latest round of commissioning, aimed at emerging artists, to enhance and develop their unique creative expression.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR?
x2 Short Length Works
We will commission TWO separate artists to create a new peice each. Each commission to be of around 20 minutes in length, with a maximum of THREE musicians within your ensemble, however it could be a SOLO work.
Your proposal needs to be within the South Asian classical music structure and could question the normalities of raag/ragam or taal/talam performance while showing an artistic personality that is relevant to 21st century.
This could be in the form of a new raag/ragam, tala/talam, pallavi, gat or bandish authored by the artist to be presented on stage in concert form. There will be an option to be recorded and release as part of a compilation album.
WHO CAN APPLY
nuSEEDED is open to all professional UK based and trained music artists whose main musical form is south Asian classical music or have career targeted training in south Asian classical music.
We are keen to receive proposals from women music artists who we are aware are under-represented in the sector.
WHAT WE OFFER
Short length pieces will receive:
- £1500
- Three month period to complete your piece
Both pieces will receive
- Mentorship in any area of your choice – such as composition, structure, dramaturgy or any other area that can be mutually agreed. We have a pool of highly experienced and authoritative consultants, some of whom lead Conservatoire teaching.
- Rehearsal period. We will get your piece ready for performance and touring by providing space, musicians (of your choice) and production support.
-
Studio recording of your completed piece for release on the zerOclassikal label. We will set out separate and additional recording terms for release.
KEY INFORMATION
Our Terms & Conditions can be dowloaded here:
HOW TO APPLY
Please use the online form at the end of this webpage.
If you prefer to use a Microsoft version of the application form – please send your request to - commissions@zeroclassikal.org.uk
TIMELINE
- 06 Feb 2026 Submission process opens
- 02 Mar 2026 Deadline for submission
- 06 Mar 2026 Commissions announced
- Jun 2026 (Date TBC) Delivery of short length pieces
Date TBC Rehearsal - performance & recording
Date TBC Release of Recording on zerOclassikal Rekords
If you need support filling in your application, we’re happy to help on the phone. Just shoot us an email to arrange an appointment – contact@zeroclassikal.org.uk
Out of fairness to other applicants, we are unable to give detailed advice about your proposal. However, access support is available for all applications and we can answer brief, factual questions regarding the submission process by email.
PARTNERS
TBC
SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL
Complete Online Form HERE