Are you interested in getting experience in artistic programming and planning?
sound is a new music incubator based in North-East Scotland, encouraging new music creation and discovery. We run the annual soundfestival, as well as year-round activity supporting a wide range of composers, engaging with local communities and providing educational opportunities.
We are looking to recruit early career composers and/or performers to curate Saturday performances at this year’s soundfestival (22 - 31 October 2026). The performances will take place on Saturday 24th October and Saturday 31st October in Aberdeen and will target early-career composers and performers from Scotland.
- The first Saturday (24th) will have a local slant and would ideally be curated by a North East composer or performer;
- The second Saturday (31st ) will focus on Listening and might suit an electroacoustic composer.
However, we are open to all propositions so please do apply if you are interested.
The curator will be supported by the Director as well as composer Pete Stollery (for the 31st) and the rest of the festival team.
We welcome applications from early-career professionals including recent graduates, and are happy to receive joint applications if the applicants want to ‘job share’.
We are committed to working with and supporting people from under-represented groups. Female, LGBTQ and/or gender diverse, global majority or Gypsy/Traveller applicants, as well as applicants with a disability and/or from low income background are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Curating a late night performance at soundfestival on either Saturday 24th October (focus on local performers and composers) or Saturday 31st October (focus on Listening). This will include working within a given budget envelope to select performers, making sure of their availability, as well as providing information for contracting and technical requirements.
- Collating and helping write event marketing materials.
Requirements:
- Be an early career composer or performer.
- As well as an enthusiasm for new music, have a good working knowledge of emerging artists in the new music scene in Scotland or the North East of Scotland.
- A strong artistic vision, and good organisational skills.
What sound is offering
- The experience of curating an event within a major new music festival.
- An insight into all aspects of event production, including marketing, budgeting and logistics.
- Networking opportunities with professional artists during soundfestival.
- Free tickets for soundfestival concerts.
Practicalities:
- The project will require a part-time commitment to undertake the programme brief. We estimate this as being approximately 31 hours in total. This time commitment may not be consistent through the period. We expect it will be maximised in May-June to curate the event and provide copy, and then nearer/during the festival itself.
- sound will provide the venue, and will discuss technical requirements with successful applicants. Please do bear in mind that our budget is limited and this should be taken into account.
- Development of the programme may be undertaken remotely, but curators will be required to communicate regularly via email and via Zoom sessions.
- The curator will be required to attend the event they have programmed.
- A fee of £450 will be paid to the Curator.
Accessibility
Access costs will be covered for those who require it. You will be asked about your accessibility needs upon successful application, this will be discussed with you individually, and the programme and schedule (where possible and required) will be tailored towards your needs.
If you need any accessibility assistance in applying for this opportunity (for example using alternative application methods), please contact Kadri on kadri@sound-scotland.co.uk
How to Apply and Application process
If interested, please fill in the online form here: https://tally.so/r/Me86oM
The form will ask you for a resume, your motivation and an outline of what you might like the event to look like.
Deadline: Sunday 31st May 2026
We are offering a 2-day “grace period” until the end of day on Tuesday 2nd June for applicants who can’t reach the deadline due to health challenges, having to care for family members, or other reasonable and/or unexpected circumstances. Please state your reason in the application form. We will inform you whether you are successful or not by the Tuesday 9th June.
If we decide to shortlist multiple applicants, an interview will take place on the Thursday 4th June.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact info@sound-scotland.co.uk
This opportunity is funded by the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.
It is part of sound’s soundcreators programme focusing on nurturing creative talent.
soundcreators is currently funded by Creative Scotland, Aberdeen City Council, theHinrichsen Foundation, the William Syson Foundation and through the PRS Foundation’s Development Network fund supported by PPL.
