Media release: Call for UK composers to join RSNO

Stuart MacRae web

Scottish orchestra’s third annual nurturing initiative for composers in the early stages of their career

THE Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) today (Tuesday 11 July) launches the third annual initiative to develop the talents of emerging composers, RSNO Composers’ Hub.

Aimed at composers in the early stages of their career, the bespoke scheme is an opportunity for a group of composers to write for orchestra in a range of different contexts, develop skills and creative relationships, as well as acquire an understanding of the business of a major arts organisation.

Up to five emerging composers will be chosen to join RSNO Composers’ Hub and spend the 2017:18 Season with the orchestra.

Each composer will write a ten-minute work for full symphony orchestra and the scheme will culminate in a public workshop at the RSNO Centre in Glasgow, April 2018, from which one work will be chosen to be performed by the RSNO during its 2018:19 Season.

RSNO Composers’ Hub also provides opportunities to develop meaningful collaborations with the RSNO and the other hub members over a sustained period and to get to know the orchestra, staff and its audience, receiving guidance from different artistic and business areas.

Award-winning composer and Composers’ Hub mentor, Stuart MacRae, said: “As an emerging composer, it can be a very big challenge to get your music played by a professional orchestra; but in order to develop approaches to orchestral music; composers need time to collaborate with an orchestra, and the support to try out ideas.

“As well as writing a new short piece for the orchestral workshop there are opportunities to engage with the RSNO’s Learning and Engagement team, and to learn more about the running of the organisation.

“We are looking for talented and enthusiastic emerging composers of any age, based in the UK, to take part in this exciting scheme.”

RSNO Composers’ Hub aims to give support to Scottish and UK-wide composers, and to provide the creative space for them to explore and develop. The breadth of the scheme will also mean it is an opportunity for our audiences to extend their knowledge of contemporary music and the compositional process.

Added previous RSNO Composers’ Hub participant Daniel Kidane, whose work, Zulu, has been selected to be premiered at the RSNO’s 2017:18 Season concerts on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 November: “I’m very much looking forward to further collaborating with the RSNO and hearing my piece Zulu come to life in their 2017:18 Season.

“It was an absolute pleasure to work with conductor, Holly Mathieson, and the energetic RSNO, who did a grand job of work-shopping five excitingly unique new pieces. Such opportunities are vital for younger composers and I’m glad that the RSNO is embarking on its third year of this wonderful scheme.”

Composers must submit a CV, one-page letter explaining why they would make a suitable candidate for RSNO Composers’ Hub, and two examples of own compositions (preferably at least one for full orchestra), with scores and sound samples via email only to the RSNO’s executive assistant, Joanna Chiang, at Joanna.Chiang@rsno.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is Friday 4th August at 5.00pm.

From October 2017, the RSNO presents the final season of Peter Oundjian’s tenure as music director, opening the Scottish première of Gavin Higgins’ Velocity (in association with Resonate – a PRS Foundation initiative in partnership with Association of British Orchestras, BBC Radio 3 and Boltini Trust), Elgar’s Violin Concerto with soloist Nicola Benedetti and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

For more information on RSNO concerts and events, visit www.rsno.org.uk.

ENDS

For further information, pictures or to request media access, please contact Daniel Pollitt, communications manager, on 0141 225 3571, 07970 009369, Email: Daniel.Pollitt@rsno.org.uk.

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Contact: Daniel Pollitt
Phone: 01412253571
Email: daniel.pollitt@rsno.org.uk
Website: http://www.rsno.org.uk