Stephen McNeff announced as new BASCA Chairman
The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA) is delighted to announce that award-winning composer Stephen McNeff has been appointed as its new Chairman.
The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA) is delighted to announce that award-winning composer Stephen McNeff has been appointed as its new Chairman.
Stephen studied composition at the Royal College of Music and undertook post-graduate research at the University of Exeter. He began his career working in theatres throughout Britain and became Associate Director at the University of Manchester’s Contact Theatre.
Although specialising in opera and music for the theatre and voice he has written important instrumental pieces and a large range of works for wind ensembles of various kinds.
Accolades include a Mavor Moore Award for his opera The Secret Garden, a Scotsman award at the Edinburgh Festival for his opera Aesop and British Composer Award for his opera, Tarka the Otter to name but a few.
He worked last year with the Welsh National Opera and his latest work, The Darkling Serenade, for the British Clarinet Ensemble, premiered in Madrid this week.
Stephen takes over the role from Simon Darlow who has stepped down from the position after serving as Chairman since 2013.
I’m very proud to be the new Chair of BASCA and to work with such fantastic colleagues and staff. I’m looking forward to broad coalition of genres all working together.
It is my pleasure to welcome Stephen McNeff as the new Chair of BASCA.
He brings with him gravitas, considered thinking and good humour. I look forward to working closely with him supporting his vision for composers and songwriters.
BASCA wishes to thank Simon Darlow for all his hard work and contribution to BASCA and all its members.
For more information on Stephen McNeff please visit:
For more information on BASCA please email: issy@basca.org.uk
About BASCA
The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) is the voice for music writers. BASCA campaigns in the UK, Europe and throughout the world. So that we may continue to do this, it is important that we can count the best songwriting and composing talent amongst our members. Whilst we are well known for putting on the British Composer Awards, the Gold Badge Awards and The Ivors every year, there is far more to us than these events. We are the independent professional association representing music writers in all genres, from songwriting, through to media, contemporary classical and jazz. We are entirely self-funding and rely on the continuing support of our members to carry on our work. We can trace our history back 70 years. Our members include Sir Paul McCartney, Dizzee Rascal, Michael Nyman, Gary Barlow, David Arnold, Sir Elton John, Imogen Heap, Howard Goodall, John Powell, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Kate Bush, Chris Martin, and many more.
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
