Music charity boss vows to help composers ‘get work heard’

Classical music charity and record label NMC Recordings has named London Contemporary Music Festival co-founder SAM MACKAY its executive director.

The artist development and fundraising professional said he was committed to forging “new solutions” to the crises composers today face, as he prepares to succeed CATHY GRAHAM at the helm of the organisation.

Mackay will take up the newly-created full-time role in October, having most recently worked as development director at Kings Place Music Foundation.

He called NMC Recordings a “beacon” in his “musical journey” and referenced albums by the label’s artists Rebecca Saunders and Harrison Birtwistle.

“It’s such a vital part of our ecosystem – for composers at all stages, but also for the performers, conductors, listeners, schoolteachers, broadcasters, venues and commissioners for whom outstanding recordings and releases are so key,” Mackay said.

He continued: “Composers today face acute challenges in getting their work heard by those with the power to champion it. I’m eager to help forge new solutions to this – in a spirit of equity, and guided by our dedication to adventurous music and the people of all ages and backgrounds who create it.”

NMC’s chair of the board, JACKIE NEWBOULD, added: “We are very fortunate that Sam will be joining the NMC family. He is the perfect successor to Cathy Graham, who stepped down in July, and whose exceptional work during her tenure shines NMC’s light ever brighter around the world.”