‘Notes from Befast’ is an ambitious place-based music project designed to celebrate Belfast’s creativity through music, shaped by Belfast people and using Belfast places.

The project will commission a number of 3-5 minute long pieces, from artists with a connection to Belfast in mixed genres including classical/opera, folk/trad, jazz, and contemporary pop. Commissions will be informed and inspired by people from the city; selected musicians will be ‘paired’ with a Belfast-based community group for two facilitated ‘story-telling’ sessions to inform their work, with sessions focused on participants sharing local and personal stories.

Each artist will be paid a commissioning fee, in line with Musicians’ Union rates. We will work to have commissions premiered at special events in some of Belfast’s landmark buildings and spaces during 2025 and 2026.

Who we’re looking for:
- 6x professional performers/composers;
- Representation across 4x genres critical to Belfast’s musical identity: classical/opera, folk/trad, jazz, and contemporary pop/electronic;
- Individual performers and groups equally welcome to apply;
- Performers should have a connection to Belfast.

Selection will be determined according to the following criteria:
- Demonstrable willingness and ability to engage with a community group to inform the commission;
- Evidence of high-quality music writing/ production and performance;
- Strong desire to represent Belfast’s story and its musical history.