Ideas first developed through Dr Will Dutta’s doctoral research at Trinity Laban are now helping to shape the work of Sound and Music, where he is Chief Executive, influencing the organisation’s artist development, research, thought leadership, sector convening and advocacy for independent creators across the UK.
This month, Sound and Music published The Curating Composer: Creative Waste and Dimensioning, the third paper in its Curating Composer research series. The latest publication marks the next stage in a body of work that began during Will’s PhD at Trinity Laban, supervised by Professor Dominic Murcott and Emeritus Professor Dan Fern in collaboration with the Royal College of Art, and has since evolved through Sound and Music’s mission to create the conditions in which independent creators, curators and cultures can thrive.
The Curating Composer has become far more than a publication series. At Sound and Music, it has developed into a framework for understanding the changing realities facing independent creators and translating those insights into practical action through programmes, partnerships, research, public engagement and advocacy.
Since joining Sound and Music, first in 2018 as Co-Head of Artist Development, and from 2023 as Chief Executive, Will has continued to develop the research in collaboration with colleagues, artists and partners, embedding its ideas across the organisation. Together, the three Curating Composer papers explore the changing role of composers and creators, how artist-led music communities thrive, and how the sector can better support longer creative lives for artistic ideas.
Under Sound and Music’s leadership, these ideas have moved beyond research into practice. They have informed artist development programmes, public policy discussions, keynote presentations, industry roundtables, conference sessions and immersive symposia, bringing together artists, commissioners, festivals, venues, funders, universities and policymakers.
Recent engagements include Sound and Music’s DIY Music Scenes Breakfast, presentations at REMIX Summit London and the immersive symposium at Sheffield Hallam University, where participants collectively developed new ideas around commissioning, artistic development, immersive practice and creative infrastructure.
Simon Cronshaw, REMIX Summits Founder said: “I was blown away by your report into DIY music scenes as the unsung powerhouse of UK culture – you offer such refreshing insights – your talk was absolutely brilliant and so good to see how well received it was – one of the highlights”
Dan Lewis, PRS for Music said: “DIY Music Making is an area yet to be fully understood but with this report and event Sound and Music have made significant strides in that direction.”
This work demonstrates the long-term value of practice-based doctoral research. Ideas first explored through academic enquiry have grown into organisational strategy and national thought leadership, illustrating how research can shape not only artistic practice but also the future direction of a cultural organisation and, through it, the wider music ecology.
“My doctoral research at Trinity Laban began by asking how the role of the composer was changing. At Sound and Music, we have had the opportunity to develop those ideas through our work with artists and partners across the UK. What began as academic research has evolved into a way of leading an organisation. It has been incredibly rewarding to see ideas that began at Trinity Laban become part of a wider national conversation about the future of music creation.” – Dr Will Dutta
For current and future Trinity Laban students, Will’s journey demonstrates how research can extend far beyond publication. Practice-based doctoral research can become a catalyst for cultural leadership, shaping organisations, influencing creative ecosystems and improving the conditions in which artists build ambitious, sustainable careers.
Read Sound and Music’s The Curating Composer: Creative Waste and Dimensioning here
Get in touch with Sound and Music: research@soundandmusic.org