"A strikingly original composer... a compelling and distinctive artistic voice... both intellectually rigorous and vividly expressive, marked by elegance, depth, and an unmistakable individuality."

— Prof. Douglas Knehans, Norman Dinerstein Professor of Composition, University of Cincinnati

My name is Taner Kemirtlek. I am a composer based in Glasgow, and this May the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra in Greece will perform my new orchestral work.

UPDATE: 18 days to go. I need your help now more than ever.

I applied to the PRS Foundation International Showcase Fund to help cover the remaining balance. I heard back this week. It was unsuccessful.

I am not going to pretend that did not sting. But the orchestra is still waiting. The deadline is still 18 May. And I am still going, because this matters too much to walk away from.

You have already been extraordinary. £709 raised by 22 people who believed in this before they had any reason to. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

But I need to be honest with you: the remaining balance due is £2,150 and the deadline is 18 May 2026. I cannot cover this from my own pocket without being unable to pay my rent in June. This is real. I am asking for your help to get me over the line.

At 18 I left for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and never looked back. Since then I have built something real: with the Red Note Ensemble, the National Theatre of Scotland, Buzzcut Festival. But in all my years in Glasgow, my composing has not yet reached an orchestra. This is that moment.

The piece they will perform began as a love letter to my partner, written on tracing paper, rolled into a scroll, tucked inside a locket. That private act of love became a full orchestral work: scroll and soft toccata for orchestra

18 May is the deadline. Every pound and every share in the next 18 days is the difference between this happening and it not happening.

If you give, I promise to take you with me: rehearsals, Thessaloniki, the premiere, and the recording when it comes back.

Every £10 matters. Every share matters. Thank you for being part of this.

Taner