Hi, my name is Kevin Lindegaard and I am embarking on activities to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the composer Aaron Copland.

Copland’s music is the perfect entry point into classical music. I fell in love with his music over 35 years ago and write a blog aaron-copland.com which aims to share his continuing legacy promoting contemporary classical music.

Most composer anniversaries simply look back at the achievements of a composer. Copland 125 is different. Aaron Copland was a forward-looking composer who always encouraged people to open up their ears to new music. One of Copland’s last orchestral works was called Music for a Great City. My intention is to use Copland 125 as a vehicle to create a music fund helping to resurrect neglected masterworks whilst also shining a light on new music by living, breathing composers and get this music played in Bristol.

I am seeding the fund with £10,000 and looking for investors to help swell the coffers.

If, like me, you love to be introduced to unfamiliar sound worlds and music that rarely gets played on the radio, then the Copland 125 Music Fund should be right up your street.

Over (initially) a four-year period I will be looking for local groups and individuals to play music that will be either my choice, investors’ choice or suggested by the performer. Funds will be limited but the idea is to help a performer or a group to be able to build a concert around a less well-known work from the last 100 years with less financial risk.

Currently the plan is for the fund to make available

• £250 for a solo piece or duo

• £500 for a quartet - sextet

• £750 for a larger ensemble piece.

For small works and choral pieces, the music would be purchased and then kept in the University Library but available for local groups and performers to use.

As a result, it will take some of the costs and risk away from playing copyrighted music. It will also keep a ceiling on the fund’s outlay.

The only other stipulation I will be making is that if a performer or group plays the work of a dead composer then they also have to play a piece by a living composer.

It's small steps but the intention is to follow Copland's example encouraging people to take off their ear muffs and embrace newer sounds.

You can invest a small amount and simply be kept updated on activities as they unfold. Alternatively, if you wish to make a bigger investment then you will be able to determine whether a particular piece is played and get access to meeting the musician(s) and seeing the piece rehearsed.

I want to hear music that reflects modern society and speaks about issues of our time. The Copland 125 Music Fund will make this possible taking forward Copland's life long efforts to reframe the relevance of classical music in today's society.

Music for a Great City

Bristol - My City, Our City

Together we can do it!

Inspired?

If you want to know more about Aaron Copland and what he means to me watch Copland 125: A Personal Fanfare for Aaron Copland :