Joe Coomber at the 1980 Gold Badge Awards
Where it all began
In 1944, the Composers Guild of Great Britain (CGGB) formed, to represent the interests of classical composers, including composers for film.
The British Songwriters Protection Guild of Great Britain was founded in 1947. Over its history, it renamed to become the Songwriters Guild of Great Britain, and later still, the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).
In 1976, the Association of Professional Composers (APC) was founded to exclusively represent professional composers, predominately media composers.
Uniting three bodies
In the mid-1990s the three guilds began to work more closely together through the Alliance of Composer Organisations (ACO). By 1999 the original three guilds had amalgamated to become the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.
In 2009, the Academy re-branded as the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).
The pinnacle of songwriting achievement
In 1956, BASCA created The Ivor Novello Awards, to represent the ultimate in musical achievement and peer recognition in the industry. The Ivors are named in honour of Ivor Novello, Britain’s most successful and distinguished theatrical composer at the time, and a founding member of BASCA.
Since their creation in 1956, The Ivors have become a cornerstone of the musical calendar and an internationally recognised icon of songwriting craft.
More about the history of The Ivors
Celebrating brilliance in composition
BASCA founded the British Composer Awards in 2003, to promote the art of composition, recognise the creative talent of classical composers and sound artists, and bring their music to a wider audience. Over 15 years, the BCAs earned a reputation for doing just that. They were rebranded in 2019 to The Ivors Composer Awards and from 2023 are known as The Ivors Classical Awards.
More about The Ivors Classical Awards
Becoming The Ivors Academy
In 2019, in response to a changing music industry, BASCA rebranded to become The Ivors Academy. We represent music creators across all of the UK, at all stages of their careers and in every genre. By bringing the Academy, our awards and activities under one banner we are raising the profile of songwriters and composers globally, and campaigning for music creators’ rights.
