Britten Sinfonia (TDN 2024)
Britten Sinfonia is one of the UK’s most versatile chamber orchestras. Based in the east of England the orchestra delivers a musically and artistically broad concert series in the region, across the UK, and in Europe. Additionally the orchestra’s many Learning & Participation programmes work to develop music making in schools, communities, with the elderly, and in healthcare settings. The orchestra champions new music, through direct commissions and supporting emerging composers, especially via Opus, its Composer Development programme.
We run two composer development programmes which give UK-based composers and aspiring composers the opportunity to take the next step on their career path. The selected composers for both schemes work closely with our programme directors – for 2024-25 Michael Zev Gordon and Dani Howard for Magnum Opus, and Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Raymond Yiu for Opus 1, as well as Britten Sinfonia musicians and the wider Britten Sinfonia team to create new works for chamber ensemble for recording and performance, and develop their skills as composers and creatives in a holistic way. Our Opus 1 programme gives aspiring composers the chance to write a piece for a Britten Sinfonia chamber ensemble and take part in workshops and a recording day, receiving advice and feedback from our musicians and composer mentors. Our Magnum Opus scheme is an opportunity for more experienced composers to develop their skills in orchestral writing and to have their works performed as part of two Britten Sinfonia concert programmes. With support from our musicians and mentors, our Magnum Opus composers work towards the performance of their own concerto in a dedicated Magnum Opus showcase concert.