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CoMA
In all the performing arts there can be a very definite distinction between those who are professionals in their field, and those who aren’t. However, whether considered professional or otherwise, when it comes to music-making what happens to those amateurs who want to play pieces of the highest artistic quality?

When CoMA (Contemporary Music-Making for Amateurs) was founded in 1993, very little contemporary repertoire was within the technical grasp of non-professional musicians. CoMA responded to this by embarking upon an unprecedented programme of repertoire creation by commissioning leading composers to write new works specifically for performance by amateurs.

Together with student works and submitted pieces, the result is an impressive library of over a thousand pieces of music suitable for performance by amateur musicians. Most of the commissioned works are flexibly scored, so they can be adapted to various combinations of instruments. As CoMA’s Natalie Bleicher noted: ‘All commissioned composers are required to respond to a brief of writing music which is of the highest artistic quality, but technically accessible to amateur musicians.’

So who can get involved? Ensembles are non-auditioning and welcome all instruments. Musicians come from all backgrounds to play, from players who started learning an instrument as an adult to music graduates with many years playing experience.

There are CoMA ensembles throughout the UK, each with its own character and focus. For example, CoMA London regularly plays at high-profile festivals such as Spitalfields Festival and the BMIC Cutting Edge series, and CoMA South West provides accompaniment to silent films at Bristol Silents.

In addition, each year CoMA runs a week long Summer School which provides further opportunities for playing and singing, plus talks, workshops and courses in performance, composition and improvisation.

For further details about all of CoMA's activities, visit www.coma.org www.coma.org or call 020 7403 3781

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