Category Archives: Composition

Med-El Rehabilitation Symposium

I was delighted to be invited to speak at the recent MED-EL Rehabilitation Symposium in York. The symposium brought together a wide range of professionals who work with cochlear implant users. I talked about the work we have done with cochlear implant users at the University of Southampton, and in particular our Interactive Music Awareness Programme (IMAP) that will go live at the end of January at http://morefrommusic.org/

Loop Concerto Photos

I had a great time on Saturday conducting KCYO in the premiere of my new piano concerto for Ivo Neame and the orchestra. It was a great pleasure working with the orchestra and to collaborate with Ivo too. Thanks to all at Kent Music and Geoff Dixon in particular and thanks to Martin Hines and Kent Music for the terrific photos too…

Photo: Martin Hines, Kent Music/KCYO

Photo: Martin Hines, Kent Music/KCYO

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Photo: Martin Hines, Kent Music/KCYO

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Photo: Martin Hines, Kent Music/KCYO

 

Rehearsals with Kent County Youth Orchestra and Ivo Neame

I was in Ashford this week working with the Kent County Youth Orchestra on my new piece for them Loop Concerto. It was great being with the orchestra for the week (just like old times) and excellent to work with the fantastic Ivo Neame on the piece. The work is for improvised piano and has relied on Ivo getting inside the piece. I’m really looking forward to the performance in Maidstone next week!

Ivo Neame

Rambert Dance Company Dartington Course

I’m off to take part in an exciting (and slightly scary!) course at Dartington next week. Rambert Dance Company have invited me to be involved as one of the composers for the course, which will involve creating new work with choreographers, dancers and musicians. The course is to be led by renowned American choreographer, Mark Morris and composer/former Musical Director for Mark Morris Dance Group, Ethan Iverson, in consultation with Rambert’s Artistic Director, Mark Baldwin, and Music Director, Paul Hoskins.

It promises to be an amazing and full on week! I’ll try and tweet a bit (it doesn’t come naturally) about how it’s going!

 

BBC Symphony Orchestra Workshop

I had my first workshop at Maida Vale Studios with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Garry Walker, on Monday 18th March. They played the first sketches for my ‘Lullaby for Joni’, which I am writing as part part of the Sound and Embedded Residency with the orchestra. It was great to hear my piece and gave me a lot to think about. It was also good to hear the embryo works by the two other composers Tom Coult and Aaron Holloway Nahum. It was also good to have our mentor Richard Causton around to discuss ideas with. Now I am frantically doing revisions and writing new material for my next workshop in April!

Photo: Aaron Holloway-Nahum

 

KCYO Concerto for Ivo Neame

I’m so excited to say I’ve been commissioned by the Kent County Youth Orchestra to compose a piece for their fiftieth celebration concert in September. I was in KCYO for many years so it is a great honour to be invited back. I’m going to be writing a concerto for fellow KCYO alumni and amazing jazz pianist Ivo Neame. He is a bit of a monster so I’d better get my best funk on!

The premiere will be in Maidstone on 7th September alongside Britten’s Sea Interludes and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. No pressure then…

KCYO

Prelude, Fugue and Riffs

I took part in the final part of the International Composer Pyramid Competition this weekend. I didn’t win but I was voted best piece by the audiences in both Canterbury and Boulogne-sur-Mer, as well as the musicians who played the piece. I was very pleased with this vote of confidence and with how the musicians, conducted by Mark Foster, approached my music. Many thanks to them. The following is the recording from the French gig…