Music       

What We Do   
Current Activity   
Music Education    
Publications and Websites   

Current Activity   

Examples of our current and recent work in music   

Every year we support a range of different music projects around the world. From small performances and workshops to full-scale music concerts, our Music team in the UK works in conjunction with British Council offices overseas to create music projects that challenge outdated perceptions of the UK and create new collaborations and partnerships.

The following recent and forthcoming project examples provide a snapshot of the work that we do.

Pictured left: London Sinfonietta in Berlin - photograph by Kai Bienert

Shifting Sands        An ever-evolving collaborative project led by Bellowhead's Andy Mellon, featuring a flexible line-up of talented musicians from the UK and the Arabian Peninsula, specialising in traditional music from their country or culture.   

Gorillaz in Damascus        Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's virtual band Gorillaz took their ‘Escape to Plastic Beach’ tour to the Syrian capital of Damascus for an eagerly anticipated one-off performance.   

Jason Yarde in South Africa       

UK musician Jason Yarde and South African singer Sibongile Khumalo collaborated at the 2010 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, and for a one-off performance in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Selector        The Selector is a two-hour radio show featuring the best in contemporary UK music across all genres, showcasing the brilliance and diversity of modern British musical culture to the wider.   

Resound        Matthew Herbert and his Big Band headlined a major concert at the Barbican Centre in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the British Council on in October 2009.   

Incubator        This project is bringing cutting-edge UK musical talent to Latin America and the Caribbean by developing a network of music producers.   

National Youth Orchestra of Iraq        We supported Zuhal Sultan, a young Iraqi pianist, in her campaign to establish the first ever National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. The orchestra's summer school has also opened and offers courses and masterclasses to young Iraqi musicians.   

Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons tour of India         British folk singer and songwriter Laura Marling and folk-rock band Mumford & Sons toured India during December 2009 as part of the British Council's Soundpad project.    

Young Music Entrepreneur Award 2010        Songkick founder Ian Hogarth impressed the judges with his business and presentation skills this year, scooping up the YCE Music Award 2010 in the process.   

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