Adopt a Composer – a project linking the UK’s up-and-coming composing talent with its vibrant leisure-time music scene – returns for its 18th year.
This unique scheme offers leisure-time musicians the chance to work directly with a composer, become actively involved in the creative process and contribute to the development of new music. The composer, in return, has the opportunity to form a close working relationship with the ensemble – with the time to respond to the groups personalities and interests; an opportunity not always possible in professional commissions.
Adopt a Composer works exclusively with composers at the start of their careers, giving them crucial ‘real world’ compositional experience, as well as guidance from established mentors – Colin Riley, David Horne, Fraser Trainer and new mentor this year Jenni Pinnock. Since it began in 2000, Adopt a Composer has produced over 90 new commissions, with many of the composers going on to have success nationally and internationally.
The selected pairings for 2017/18 are as follows:
•Anna Appleby with Merchant Sinfonia (Scotland) mentored by David Horne
•Ben See with Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra Society (Surrey) mentored by Colin Riley
•Edmund Hunt with The Singers (Tyne & Wear) mentored by Fraser Trainer
•Esmeralda Conde Ruiz with The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra (East Sussex) mentored by Fraser Trainer
•Max Charles Davies with Côr Crymych a’r Cylch (Wales) mentored by Colin Riley
•Peter Yarde Martin with Bellfolk Handbell Ringers (Norfolk) mentored by Jenni Pinnock
•Scottish Project
•Gaynor Barradell with Edinburgh Concert Band mentored by David Horne
The project also gives excellent exposure for both the composers and groups, with recordings of many of the pieces broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
