BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) has announced the launch of its highly acclaimed Composition: Wales project for 2019, which will take place in January and February 2019 in BBC Hoddinott Hall led by conductor and composer B Tommy Andersson. For the past 17 years, the project has provided aspiring and talented Welsh composers with the opportunity to have their music rehearsed and performed in front of an audience.
Composition: Wales has established itself as one of the most important contemporary music events in the orchestral scene in Wales. It showcases works by composers worthy of wider exposure and offers them the opportunity to hear and evaluate their music played by BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The project is organised in collaboration with Composers of Wales, Tŷ Cerdd, Vale of Glamorgan Festival and Welsh Music Guild.
Composition: Wales is open to composers who were born or are living in Wales and who have completed a music degree at undergraduate level (or equivalent qualification), or composers born in Wales studying composition at post-graduate level in Wales. BBC NOW will also consider composers born in Wales or living in Wales who have a proven track record in composition.
This year’s Composition: Wales will be unique. In addition to compositions played at BBC Hoddinott Hall, collaborating partners will also be arranging additional activity. Tŷ Cerdd will be offering three composers from Composition: Wales the opportunity to write a short piece of music for a chamber ensemble. These compositions will be performed at the Night Music series of events at St David’s Hall, Cardiff. The Vale of Glamorgan Festival will also be collaborating by programming orchestral works by Composition: Wales composers in 2019. The Festival will also commission a piece of music from Composition: Wales composer to be performed in their 50th anniversary opening gala concert at BBC Hoddinott Hall in 2019.
The deadline for submission is 10.00am on Wednesday 14th November 2018, with the selected scores announced on Friday 7th December 2018. Scores are invited with the following guidance brief: The perfect concert opener or an encore for a BBC National Orchestra of Wales concert, such as St David’s Day or an international tour. Selected scores will be featured in the project at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay. The initial workshop will take place in on Wednesday 30 January 2019; this day will be followed by two additional workshop days on Monday 18 February and Tuesday 19 February 2019, culminating in a free public concert.
Key dates:
- Deadline for initial score submission: Wednesday 14th November 2018 at 10.00am
- Selected scores announced: Friday 7th December 2018
- Deadline for submission of selected final full scores & orchestral parts: Monday 7th January 2019 at 5.00pm
- Initial workshop day: Wednesday 30th January 2019 at 2.00pm -5.00pm and 6.00pm-9.00pm
- Open rehearsals: Monday 18th February at 2.00pm-5.00pm and 6.00pm-9.00pm, and Tuesday 19th February 2019 at 2.30-5.30pm
- Free Culmination Concert: Tuesday 19th February 2019 at 7.00pm
B Tommy Andersson, conductor for Composition: Wales 2019 said: “I have been involved with Composition: Wales for many years and it is both inspiring and rewarding. Through the project, I am fortunate to meet so many talented and passionate Welsh composers, some which have had the door opened to a wealth of other musical opportunities, including performances of their work at Vale of Glamorgan Festival, on BBC Radio 3 and even at a Royal Wedding. This year, I will be joined by Huw Watkins and Tansy Davies who will be mentoring and advising throughout the project. I am fortunate to be working in collaborating with these talented composers and can’t wait to get started”.
For further Information, including an entry form and guidelines go to bbc.co.uk/now or call 0800 052 1812 or email [email protected].
