CLASSICAL MUSIC / Upbeat: Fresh voices

ANOTHER sign of composers coming in from the cold: the Young Concert Artists Trust, which usually promotes performers at that delicate stage of their career when they show promise but can't yet attract an agent, is going to take a creative musician under its wing, to write for its proteges. In appointing an 'Associate Composer' for two years it joins those other bodies, mostly orchestras, which have decided that new music is not, after all, the enemy. It also gives a practical focus to the composer's work - no bad thing when, despite the new popular following of three or four, most of them are still remote beings to the musical public. Backed by the Arts Council, YCAT will provide a retainer, commission fees and expenses - it makes its choice after applications close next week.