Composers' resources


Composers' Pack - Model Contracts

As part of the ongoing Make Music Work resource series, the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) launched a pack of mode contracts and a contract checklist for composers. The ISM’s Composers' Packwas prepared with the Composers’ Special Interest Group, ISM Composers’ Round Table meetings and colleagues from across the music industry – including Russells solicitors.

ISM Corporate Member Composers' Edition wrote a blog post about model contracts and professional composers to celebrate the launch of the Composers' Pack.

Competitions and Opportunities

Included in the Composers' Pack is a list of useful links where you can find competition and useful commissioning opportunities:

Further advice pages for composers

We have a number of specialist advice pages for composers available in the members' area of our website.

Composers, copyright and commissioning

Performance related

Professional codes of practice

Music Publishers Association Code of Fair Practice

The Music Publishers Association publishes a Code of Fair Practice and the ISM is listed as an arbitration body for the Code. The Code is regularly reviewed and views are welcomed as to how it could be improved.

ISM Composers' Survey Report 2016

Following our previous work in support of our members who compose, The ISM Composers’ Special Interest Group conducted a survey 2016 looking at a range of issues affecting composers in the UK. The survey received 140 responses from a broad range of composers.

These findings and recommendations were then discussed at an ISM Composers’ Round Table on Tuesday 12 July 2016.

View the Composers' survey report 2016

NMC Recordings' Music Map

The Music Map is an interactive tool allowing you to explore the relationships between composers, their influences and their work.

Click here to open the map and type a name into the 'search' box to start your journey.