Samantha Fernando: The Composers’ Fund
Samantha (b.1984) has worked with numerous ensembles including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Riot Ensemble, the choir of Selwyn College Cambridge, LOD Muziektheater (Ghent), Silbersee Vocal Ensemble (Amsterdam) and The London Sinfonietta.
Her music has been performed at festivals here and abroad such as Aldeburgh Music, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Sounds New, Gaudeamus Muziekweek, York Late Music, Lake District Summer Music and The Oxford Lieder Festival.
In 2013, she was awarded an RPS Composition Prize and was commissioned to write a new work for the Philharmonia Orchestra as part of the Music of Today series.
Samantha’s music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and her flute piece Kinesphere was released on NMC last year. This year she was commissioned to write a new work celebrating the 50th birthday of the London Sinfonietta, premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in January and conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.
The Composers’ Fund will provide financial support to cover childcare costs so Samantha can work on three orchestral projects.
Samantha said:
The point at which my career has progressed to working on larger scale pieces has coincided with the point at which I have become a mother. Without the support of The Composers’ Fund I simply would not be able to embark on these exciting new projects.