Emerging from within the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1987, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group quickly established a reputation for brilliant performances, ambitious commissions, innovative collaborations, and a vibrant learning programme. With a central commitment to composers and the presentation of new work, BCMG’s open and inclusive approach takes people of all ages through the rich and fascinating world of contemporary music. BCMG has premiered over 150 works, many commissioned through its pioneering Sound Investment scheme, with a family of Investors supporting each new piece. The Group has toured widely, recent highlights including concerts with Oliver Knussen in Barcelona and Madrid; with Thomas Adès in New York’s Carnegie Hall; and at the Aldeburgh Festival, including premieres of works by Elliott Carter with Oliver Knussen. In addition to a busy schedule of concerts in the UK and abroad, BCMG runs an extensive learning and participation programme, working with young people both in and out of school and with adults in a range of community settings, as well as presenting ground-breaking Family and Schools’ Concerts. The Group has two Artists-in-Association, Oliver Knussen and John Woolrich, and Sir Simon Rattle is the Founding Patron. BCMG’s work has won several major awards including a MIDEM award for their NMC recording of Britten’s complete film music; two Royal Philharmonic Society Awards; and Prudential, Gramophone and PRS Millennial awards. BCMG broadcasts often on BBC Radio, has made TV programmes for BBC and Independent Television, and CD recordings for EMI, Decca, Cantaloupe and NMC. The relationship with NMC is particularly strong, with CDs featuring the music of Philip Cashian, Stuart MacRae, Julian Anderson, Benjamin Britten, David Sawer, Simon Holt, Howard Skempton, Alexander Goehr and Oliver Knussen. An award-winning Da Capo disc of the music of Poul Ruders was released in 2009.