Derri Joseph Lewis (b.1997) is a prize-winning Welsh composer — his music has been performed by artists including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gould Piano Trio, and bass-violist Liam Byrne. In 2021 he joined the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain’s ‘Young Composers Scheme,’ and his duet ‘A Moment’ was featured on Helen Charlston’s ‘Isolation Songbook.’ He has been awarded many prestigious prizes, including a grant to study at Zürich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Psappha Ensemble’s ‘Composing For…’ project with guitarist Tom McKinney, and the BBC Radio 3 / National Centre for Early Music’s “Young Composer Award 2019.”
In June 2021 Derri received one of Sound and Music’s COVID-19 Composer Awards:
“I am so thrilled and honoured to be picked for the Sound and Music ‘Covid-19 Composer Awards!’ It means so much to have the support from this fabulous institution who do so much to celebrate and champion new music. This grant will allow me to develop my practice, cultivate working relationships, and share something new online. The last 15 months have been so tough without live music and human interaction, so I can’t wait to crack on and write a brand new song!”