Folk, jazz and mandolin players among music groups and composers chosen to collaborate for Adopt a Composer
Huge congratulations to the composers selected for the year-long Adopt a Composer project which matches vocal and instrumental music groups from the vibrant leisure-time music scene with some of the UK’s most promising composers, culminating in a première performance and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
This unique scheme challenges both music groups and composers to work together to create a brand new piece of music.
Announcing the 2018-19 pairings:
West Midlands
Chloe Knibbs is inspired by city life, folk tales and personal experiences, and explores feminist and social issues in her music.
Paired with:
Ex Urbe is a chamber choir that aims to help its audiences explore, choral music, singing diverse repertoire from Vivaldi’s Gloria to lesser known a cappella works.
West Yorkshire
James Banner is a jazz composer in residence for Make The Paint Dance, a tutor at Leeds College of Music and workshop leader for Jazzlines Town Hall Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
Paired with:
Two Rivers Concert Band has over 50 members ranging in age from 16 to over 70, and plays music ranging from Baroque to modern.
London
Guitarist Laura Snowden’s compositions have been broadcast on BBC radio and Hong Kong Radio 4. She is currently writing for the ABRSM guitar syllabus, and a commission for Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Paired with:
Chandos Chamber Choir sings both sacred and secular music from the sixteenth century to the present day a cappella or with keyboard, chamber-ensemble or orchestra.
Wales
Nathan James Dearden has worked with groups such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He conducts the New Voices Consort and New Music Collective.
Paired with:
Swansea Philharmonic Choir members enjoy performing repertoire by British composers such as Vaughan Williams, Britten and Elgar, as well as introducing audiences to works by Daniel Jones, Karl Jenkins and more.
Scotland
Nicholas Olsen has worked with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and more, as well as choruses, junior choruses and brass bands.
Paired with:
Da Capo Alba whose members play mandolin, mandola, guitar and bass and have a background in classical, folk and rock music.
Southampton
Robert Laidlow is a jazz saxophonist whose work has been played by groups including Ensemble Modern, Milwaukee Symphony and Ballet and the Britten Sinfonia.
Paired with:
Southampton Concert Wind Band, concert and bandstand performers that have played with groups ranging from brass bands to choirs.
Since it began in 2000, Adopt a Composer has produced over 100 new commissions, with many of the composers going on to have success nationally and internationally.
The project is run by Making Music in partnership with Sound and Music, in association with BBC Radio 3, and funded by the PRS Foundation and Philip and Dorothy Green Trust.
