The purpose of ICP is to establish an innovative programme of exchanges, competitions and courses to foster development in the composition of new music on a crossborder basis. The creation of new music requires specialist skills, such as those already available on either side of the channel. This project sees two different music education systems working in partnership to have long term benefits for music education and culture in both regions and to disseminate good practice across national, regional, cultural and linguistic boundaries. ICP will provide expert teaching and opportunities in composition on both sides of the channel. It will also offer high profile incentives to young composers who are more established and generate increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of contemporary music through workshops in schools and through public performance. Expected Results: What are the key results of the project?For participants:Increased creative and technical understandingImproved international networking at a professional levelExperience of creative collaboration across cultural, linguistic and national boundariesOpportunity for the participants to have their work professionally performedYoung composers will gain greater promotion of their work, with wider exposure to a professional and public audienceWorkshops and talks given by industry professionalsComposers will receive greater exposure from the performance of their work by ICP EnsembleComposers to gain a greater understanding of the working requirements of their profession.Working with the ensemble (made up of professional musicians) and with recognised conductors will give the entrants a considerable breadth of experienceFoster and develop an understanding of the particular requirements and dynamics of an ensemble of this kindCreating new links and associations between players, conductors, and composers.Are all partners and territories benefitting from the results?Target groups and beneficiaries:The immediate target groups are the young composers themselves. The project aims to nurture the talents of aspiring and emerging arts professionals. By its nature, it offers a stable platform for those involved to collaborate and experiment. Through the activities of the project as a whole, they will develop & refine compositional skills and working practices, as well as creating new associations & relationships with performers, conductors and composers from around Europe and the wider world.Benefits for the territory:On a broader scale, the beneficiary of the ICP project is the wider musical world; the concerts given by the ICP Ensemble will spotlight the work of modern composers in the truest sense, fostering amongst audiences a broader, more tangible understanding of the concept of contemporary music. The project will also lay the foundations amongst participants for future collaborations, deepening and enriching the musical culture of both regions.What are the effects / outcomes for the territories involved?The anticipated outcomes include a broader awareness of the nature and character of contemporary music, leading to a deeper understanding of modern artistic endeavour; the enriching of contemporary musical culture by the highlighting of talented living composers; a higher standard of shareable knowledge, experience, and skill amongst participants, to be built upon in the future; and ultimately a broader cultural understanding, fostered by the interaction of people from different cultures, musical backgrounds and disciplines.The ICP project will allow English and French composers to benefit from education, and the experience of eminent composers from both regions, whilst establishing a programme of masterclasses, concerts and debates (recognised as a shared resource) in which the public can take part. It will enable young composers to create new networks, and to enable a market in musical creativity without frontiers.