Commission Opportunity for Original Music Scores to Jerry the Troublesome Tyke Films

The Arts Council of Wales has announced a commission opportunity inviting Wales-based musicians to compose original musical scores for five Jerry the Troublesome Tyke films. Each film lasts between three and five minutes, and the commission seeks music that breaks from traditional silent film accompaniment, aiming instead for a fresh and contemporary sound that reflects the character’s spirit from the 1920s.

Jerry the Troublesome Tyke is a mischievous and cheeky animated character known for his comedic defiance of his animator. The project encourages composers to capture this playful essence in their music. Musicians selected for the commission will receive a fee of £750 per film score and will be provided with high-resolution screeners of the films to aid in composition.

Applicants must deliver their compositions as separate WAV files at 48kHz and 24-bit quality within a tight timeframe of five to seven weeks. The final deadline for delivery is 4 January 2027. Additionally, composers are expected to be available for a check-in meeting during the project and may be asked to contribute to promotional activities for the finished work.

The commission explicitly excludes any use of AI-generated music or elements, requiring all compositions to be entirely original human creations. Composers will retain full copyright of their work, while the commissioning body will hold rights to use the music for public screenings and promotional purposes under a specific licensing agreement.

Applications must include a short outline of no more than 500 words introducing the applicant and their vision for the scores, along with one or two examples of previous work. Alternative application formats such as video or voice notes can be accommodated upon request. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 10 November 2026, with notifications sent by 16 November.

This project is a collaboration between the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive and British Pathe, supported by Film Hub Wales as part of the BFI Film Audience Network, and funded by the National Lottery. It offers a unique opportunity for Welsh musicians to engage creatively with historic animation and contribute to its contemporary presentation.