Oram Awards 2020 – talented women/gender minority music creators
Posted on: Tuesday 23rd of June 2020
The fourth annual award presentation to recognise talented women, girls and gender minority music creators innovating in music, sound and related technologies. Any music creator who meets the criteria, or their representative, can now apply. Six winners will receive development bursaries from PRS Foundation, for further information about The Oram Awards application, please visit www.prsfoundation.com/funding-support/funding-music-creators/next-steps/the-oram-awards/
Any music creator who meets the criteria, or their representative, can now apply. We would encourage others to share this opportunity with those that they think are deserving of recognition. Named after Daphne Oram, one of the founding members of the original BBC Radiophonic Workshop, the awards aim to build on her legacy. Along with other women of the workshop, including Delia Derbyshire, Glynis Jones, Jenyth Worsley, Maddalena Fagandini and Elizabeth Parker, Oram played a vital role in establishing women at the forefront of innovation in newly-emerging audio technologies not only in the UK but around the world.
Whilst there are many women innovating in sound and music, their work and their voices often struggle to be heard. The Oram Awards will be open to women, girls and gender minorities in recognition of Daphne Oram’s pioneering status as an inspiring role model to other women who are currently under represented in electronic music.
Matthew Herbert, Director of The New Radiophonic Workshop, says: “This year I am particularly thrilled that we are opening the nominations process to the wider public. Our ambition was always to find people outside of the usual channels and I’m excited that we can hopefully help find and support musicians and artists outside of the more conventional structures.”
Becci Scotcher, Senior Grants & Programmes Manager of PRS Foundation, says: “We’re incredibly excited to be announcing the fourth year of the Oram Awards and, for the very first time, encouraging eligible music creators to apply directly for consideration. We’re looking forward to seeing who will apply over the coming weeks and hearing the work of exceptional and innovative music creators pushing the boundaries of music and sound in the UK right now.”
Applicants profile
The Oram Awards are targeted at the next generation of innovative women, girls and gender minorities in music and sound and is open to women, girls and gender minorities of all ages from 11 years upwards.
There is only one category: innovation in sound, music and associated technologies.
Music and sound creators should:
be based in the United Kingdom;
create high quality original new music and sound;
innovate in sound, music and associated technologies;
through their work have demonstrated that they are deserving of increased recognition;
are ready for this opportunity and will use the PRS Foundation bursary for future creative and professional development.
Partners will prioritise women music creators who are not yet established names, as well as those not being supported by flagship talent development programmes such as the PPL Momentum Music Fund, The Composers’ Fund and New Music Biennial.
The applications for this year’s awards are open to the public from Monday 22nd June until Friday 31st July 2020. The winners will be announced on 1st November.
The Awards
This year there will be 6 winners and the ceremony will take place in November (date to be confirmed)
2 of the winners will receive special commendations and development bursaries of £1,500
4 winners receive development bursaries of £500 from PRS Foundation.
www.oramawards Twitter: @oram_awards | Instagram: @theoramawards

CATALOGUE NUMBER: ORAM/7/9/009 Daphne Oram and the Oramics Machine COPYRIGHT: © Daphne Oram Trust and Goldsmiths Special Collections. CREDIT: Photograph: Fred Wood.