The Riot Ensemble

What The Riot Ensemble does

The Riot Ensemble is a UK-registered charity (No. 1178276) founded in 2008 and based in Manchester as of 2025, operating an artist-led contemporary-music ensemble of approximately 23 European soloists. Its core product is the live performance, commissioning, and recording of new works by living composers; the ensemble has delivered over 400 World and UK premieres since 2012 across works by composers from more than 40 countries. Programming is shaped by an annual Call for Scores (400–500 submissions, 25+ commissions to date), a Zeitgeist Commissioning Series produced with Zeitgeist.com, and a growing discography on labels including Coviello Contemporary, NMC Records, All That Dust, Intakt Records, Huddersfield Contemporary Records, and October House Records. Educational activity spans multi-year residencies and mentorships at the Royal Academy of Music (extended into a second three-year cycle), the University of Liverpool, RNCM, Trinity Laban, and Cardiff University, plus a Side-by-Side programme. Digital output has expanded with Phantom Miniatures, an immersive audio/video project supported by The Space and the Danish Composers Society. Revenue is generated from four streams: ticket and performance fees at flagship venues (Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Bridgewater Hall) and international festivals; one-time licensing and royalty income from recordings; charitable grants from foundations and trusts (Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, PRS Foundation, Foyle Foundation, Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne, Vaughan Williams Trust); and fees from conservatoire residencies and workshops. Leadership is shared across Co-Artistic Directors Aaron Holloway-Nahum (CEO), Marie Schreer, and Gośka Isphording under a rotating model introduced in 2024, with Creative Producer Jackie Newbould and governance from a Board of Trustees chaired by Peter King OBE. The ensemble is recognised by the Ernst von Siemens Foundation Ensemble Prize (2020, €75,000) and a Royal Philharmonic Society Ensemble Award shortlisting (2024).

Name

The Riot Ensemble

Legal name

The Riot Ensemble

Website

https://riotensemble.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Riot Ensemble is a UK-registered charity (founded 2008, based in Manchester) comprising ~23 European soloists who commission, premiere, and perform contemporary chamber music, run an annual Call for Scores, and deliver multi-year residencies at conservatoires, funded by charitable grants, performance fees, and recording royalties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Contemporary Music Ensemble

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI), Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ)

Keywords

• Contemporary music performances
• New music commissioning
• Chamber ensemble residencies
• Music education programmes
• Contemporary music recordings

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Performance Revenue: Concert performances at venues and festivals generating ticket revenue
2. Recording Sales: Commercial releases through labels including Coviello Contemporary, NMC Records, Huddersfield Contemporary Records, All That Dust, Intakt Records, and October House Records
3. Charitable Donations and Grants: Support from foundations and trusts including Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation, PRS Foundation, Foyle Foundation, Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, Vaughan Williams Trust, and others
4. Educational Services: Residencies, mentorships, and workshops at conservatoires and universities generating engagement and funding

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Riot Ensemble is a contemporary music ensemble that performs, commissions, and records new works by living composers, while also running educational residencies and mentorship programmes at conservatoires and universities. Its activity is anchored by an annual Call for Scores that receives 400–500+ composer submissions and has yielded over 25 commissions, alongside live concerts at UK and international venues, a discography released on established contemporary music labels, and digital content such as the Phantom Miniatures series.

Product overview

The Riot Ensemble is a contemporary music ensemble offering live performances, commissioning of new works, and educational programs. The core offerings include live concert performances (with regular appearances at Wigmore Hall, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, and international venues), an annual Call for Scores program that receives 400-500 submissions and results in multiple commissions yearly, and a growing discography of recordings on labels including Coviello Contemporary, NMC Records, and All That Dust. Educational offerings include multi-year residencies at Royal Academy of Music and University of Liverpool, the Side-by-Side mentorship program, and workshops at conservatories. The ensemble has also produced digital content including the Phantom Miniatures immersive audio project and the Zeitgeist Commissioning Series of online solo works.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Performances Contemporary music performances across the UK and internationally, including festival appearances, concert hall presentations, and site-specific events delivered by an ensemble of approximately 23 top European soloists.
• Commissioning Program / Call for Scores Annual open application programme inviting composers worldwide to submit scores for potential commission and performance; commissions include world and UK premieres of new works by living composers.
• Education and Mentorship Residencies Residencies, mentorship programmes, and composition workshops at conservatoires and universities including Royal Academy of Music, University of Liverpool, Trinity Laban, Royal Northern College of Music, and Cardiff University, supporting emerging composers and performers.
• Discography / Recordings Studio albums and recordings of contemporary chamber works released on established contemporary music labels, including albums Gates, Vestige, CTRL/Absorber, Cosmologies, and Speak, Be Silent.
• Phantom Miniatures A digital and live performance project presenting the phantom word illusion as a live spatialised performance and a suite of short-form digital videos for online audiences worldwide.
• Zeitgeist Commissioning Series Online multimedia gallery of solo commissions featuring composers from the Call for Scores, produced in partnership with Zeitgeist.com as digital releases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 World and UK premieres performed since 2012
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered key, major and core.

• The SpacekeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Supported the Phantom Miniatures commission by Alexander Tillegreen, transforming psychoacoustic illusion into live performance and digital presentation.
• Danish Composers SocietykeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Supported the Phantom Miniatures commission for the Phantom Miniatures project.
• Mahogany OperamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Collaboration on Rolf Hind's new opera 'Sky in a Small Cage' inspired by Rumi, including Barbican main stage debut and Copenhagen Opera Festival co-production.
• Royal Academy of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2024, delivering the Academy's first intensive three-year contemporary music programme, mentoring three composers and six performers. The partnership has been extended into a second three-year cycle with new funding.
• University of LiverpoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year residency programme with student workshops, seminars, and professional recordings of student work. Completed final year of residency in 2025.
• Kings PlacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership (2020) with five concerts, day-long festival, commercial LP recording, and six contributions to Zeitgeist Commissioning Series during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Trinity Laban ConservatoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular workshops with students and ongoing educational engagement.
• Royal Northern College of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular workshops with students including participatory side-by-side performances with Riot musicians.
• DeutschlandfunkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for multiple recordings including Gates album (2026), Vestige (2023), and Song Offerings. Recordings at Deutschlandfunk Studios in Cologne.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Klangforum Wien: Vienna-based contemporary ensemble of leading soloists. Highly comparable to Riot in artist-composed membership, focus on experimental and new works, and conservatoire-linked educational programming.
• ASKO|Schönberg: Dutch contemporary ensemble combining orchestral and chamber forces for new music. Comparable in artist-led European touring, premiering new works, and relationships with living composers — Gośka Isphording of Riot has performed with this ensemble.
• Ensemble Intercontemporain: Paris-based contemporary ensemble founded by Pierre Boulez. Directly comparable in repertoire (living composers, premieres), institutional residency model, and international festival footprint.
• Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG): UK-based contemporary music ensemble performing new works and developing emerging composers. Directly comparable in mission, commissioning model, and conservatoire engagement within the British new-music ecosystem.
• International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE): US-based contemporary music ensemble of soloists commissioning and performing new works. Comparable to Riot in artist-led structure, commissioning of emerging composers, and digital outreach efforts.
• London Sinfonietta: The UK's leading contemporary classical music ensemble, performing and commissioning new works. Directly comparable to Riot in repertoire focus, UK concert venue relationships, and educational programming, though with a longer history and larger institutional backing.
• Ensemble Musikfabrik: North Rhine-Westphalian contemporary ensemble. Comparable to Riot in artist-led commissioning, international festival touring, and educational residency partnerships across European conservatoires.
• Ensemble Modern: One of the world's leading contemporary music ensembles, based in Frankfurt. Closely comparable to Riot in artist-led structure, commissioning activity, international festival presence, and educational programming at conservatoire scale.

Emerging players

• Mahogany Opera: UK opera company collaborating with Riot on productions such as the Barbican 'Sky in a Small Cage' opera. Adjacent peer as a fellow small-scale UK arts organization operating in experimental contemporary performance.

Broad incumbents

• Britten Sinfonia: Larger UK-based chamber orchestra with significant contemporary music programming. Comparable in UK concert venue partnerships and educational reach, though broader in repertoire (classical to contemporary) than Riot's specialist focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Riotensemblemusic
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheRiotEnsemble
• Instagraminstagram.com/riotensemble
• Xx.com/RiotEns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Riot Ensemble