The year-long Adopt a Composer project matches vocal and instrumental music groups from the vibrant leisure-time music scene with some of the UK’s most promising composers, culminating in a première performance and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. This unique scheme challenges both music groups and composers to work together to create a brand new piece of music.
For more information for our current programme and new applications, please visit Adopt a Music Creator.
We are delighted to announce the Adopt-a-Composer pairings for 2019/20 below:
Paired with Ex Urbe
Chloe Knibbs is a Birmingham-based composer inspired by city life, folk tales and personal experiences. Included in the British Music Collection, Chloe has studied under Joe Cutler, Phil Grange and Michael Wolters and is currently supported by the PRS Women Make Music Fund.
Paired with Two Rivers Concert Band
James Banner is a double bass player, composer and educator based in Leeds. Born in the Black Country in 1991, he studied at Birmingham Conservatoire, CNSM in Paris and the Jazz institut Berlin, where he completed his Master of Music.
Paired with Chandos Chamber Choir
Laura Snowden is a guitarist, composer and songwriter, whose compositions have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Scotland and Hong Kong Radio 4. She has written for the ABRSM guitar syllabus and a commission for Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Paired with Swansea Philharmonic Choir
Nathan James Dearden is a composer and conductor, whose music has been commissioned, performed, featured and workshopped by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and CHROMA ensemble, among others.
Paired with Da Capo Alba
Nicholas Olsen is a Welsh composer who recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying with Gordon McPherson and Stuart MacRae. Nicholas has worked with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ensemble Modern, and Red Note Ensemble.
Paired with Southampton Concert Wind Band
Robert Laidlow is a contemporary classical composer based in London whose compositions have been performed across the UK, U.S.A, and South America. His music incorporates his background as a jazz saxophonist, and is often inspired by scientific phenomena.
