An enterprising partnership between the University of Glasgow and one of the UK's leading contemporary music ensembles will give the university and its students unparalleled access to musicians and composers at the centre of developments in contemporary music.

Paragon Ensemble and University of Glasgow have announced an initial three year deal that will see Paragon become the University's Ensemble in Residence, with an active practical and advisory contribution by ensemble players and associated composers to the work of senior undergraduate and postgraduate music composition students.

The arrangement includes close working between students and ensemble members to increase understanding of composition possibilities for different instruments and assisting the development of student compositions for assessment and performance. Paragon will also use the University's concert hall for the bulk of the ensemble's concert rehearsals, with open access for composition students.

Announcing the move, Professor John Butt, Head of the University's Music Department said: "While many of the good music colleges and schools have some association with working musicians and composers, THE scale of this partnership is unrivalled. Paragon Ensemble dominates the north British scene in this kind of music, both in its performance and, equally important, in new composition developments. The ensemble's close involvement with the university gives the campus a sense of being at the centre of creativity in music, with students not just analysing but being part of new movements."

Adding that the partnership will also benefit the wider university by attracting high-flying post-graduate students, Professor Butt said: "The chance to work closely on their own compositions with top contemporary musicians is one that very few students get. There is no doubt that such a unique opportunity will be very attractive to talented post-graduate students looking to pursue their future in music composition."

The idea of partnership on such a scale came together after a successful pilot scheme of composition workshops organised by Paragon for composition students last year, in return for access to the university's concert hall facilities for ensemble rehearsals.

Under the three-year deal, Paragon will organise an annual series of demonstrations and workshops, covering a range of instrument groups, with leading professional instrumentalists working with students on how composition works - or not - for different instruments and instrument ensembles. It will assist students in developing composition ideas and in performing student works for assessment.

Paragon's Artistic Director, John Harris said: "All of our work is about developing new music and new ways of thinking about music - this collaboration with the University of Glasgow is a perfect fit for us. It allows us to focus directly on the composers and musicians who will be creating the music of tomorrow, and to work with them to help them achieve their full creative potential. We're delighted that the University music department have asked us to be their ensemble in-residence, and the pilot scheme has gone extremely well."

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First published: 10 June 2003