BASCA Trust Launches Annual Lecture Series

18 October 2017 - Press release

INAUGARAL ‘DAVID FERGUSON LECTURE’ TAKES PLACE ON NOVEMBER 1

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA) has announced details of an annual lecture series, aimed at inspiring and educating songwriters and composers, and the public in general. 

‘The David Ferguson Lecture’ has been launched in honour of the late BASCA chairman, and is the first event staged by The BASCA Trust, which was established in 2000.

The BASCA trust provides education and grants, while raising public awareness of songwriting and composition. 

David Ferguson (1953 – 2009) was one of Britain’s most successful television composers. David served for six years as chairman of The British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors (BASCA) and was awarded a Fellowship, BASCA’s highest honour. He was also a director of Performing Rights Society (PRS) and Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS). David’s vision was of an international, united voice across the continents, of authors speaking out for their rights. He was one of the driving forces behind the European Composer & Songwriter Alliance, now celebrating its 10^th anniversary, with members in 27 countries.    

David left a third of his estate to the BASCA Trust to support its education and awareness-raising initiatives. 

The inaugural David Ferguson lecture will take place from 7pm on Wednesday November 1^st at Kings Place in London and is entitled Making a Living from Writing Music. 

The event will feature a keynote address from UK Music Chairman Andy Heath followed by a panel discussion with Andy Heath, Goldie, Imogen Heap and classical composer Roxanna Panufnik. The panel will be moderated by the Register’s Andrew Orlowski. 

Tickets are £12 with a student rate of just £5 and can be obtained from:  www.bascatrust.eventbrite.co.uk  

Vick Bain, CEO of BASCA and one of the Trustees of the BASCA Trust said, “David Ferguson was a hugely important figure in the history of BASCA and a remarkable leader of our organisation. It comes as no surprise to anyone who knew him that he would leave such a generous bequest to help educate and inspire future generations of songwriters and composers. The BASCA Trust will play a vital role in supporting and raising awareness of the work we do. I am delighted that we can honour David with this annual lecture series, which will provide an important platform to highlight the issues and challenges facing our community while celebrating their fantastic work.”