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Berwick Shines is the cultural engagement programme for The Living Barracks, a significant cultural and heritage development project in Berwick upon Tweed. The Living Barracks is led by four partner organisations: The Maltings (Berwick) Trust, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Association, English Heritage and Berwick Record Office. The programme is funded by the UK Government and Arts Council England (ACE) and is a programme of artist-led, multidisciplinary cultural activity taking place across Berwick-upon-Tweed in 2025 and 2026.  

Berwick Shines is led by The Maltings (Berwick) Trust, and Gareth Hudson has been commissioned for a Residency and Commission as part of this programme. He is seeking a composer to work with himself and sound artist Toby Thirling on a new choral motet, drawing on the historical musical monastic traditions of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Northumberland more widely. The motet will be performed by local people, recorded in sections, and will eventually form part of a monumental installation in light and sound. This project explores the idea of the numinous, secular and sacred, within both the history and the contemporary life of Berwick-upon-Tweed. To find out more about Gareth’s previous work visit: https://vimeo.com/garethhudson 

Composer Brief and Profile 

The appointed composer will begin work as soon as possible and will work closely with Gareth, Toby and the appointed choirmasters to develop the motet. They will not need to be based in Northumberland, but will be expected to travel to Berwick-upon-Tweed occasionally.  

Essential: 

• Extensive experience of composing for choir and/or leading choirs with a multitude of different musical styles and vocal expressions. 

• Able to arrange and transpose for choir and orchestra (or multiple instrumental parts). 

• An understanding/appreciation of sacred music. 

• Willingness to experiment, work cross-genre and to allow for inclusivity/varying ability. 

Desirable: 

• Able to read Latin and/or understand its pronunciation. 

• Understand call and response in a variety of cultural and musical contexts. 

• Interest in artists like Arvo Pärt, Thomas Tallis, Roomful of teeth (Caroline Shaw), Pérotin, John Tavener, Hannah Peel, Joby Talbot. 

Fee 

£5000 fixed fee inclusive of expenses and VAT  

Timeline 

June 2025 – composer and choirmasters appointed 

July – August 2025 – choirs recorded in Berwick 

September – December 2025 – soundscape and installation elements finalised 

January – February 2026 – Installation complete and live events take place 

Support 

The appointed composer will work directly with Gareth Hudson and can expect support in accessing any heritage resources in Berwick from the Berwick Shines team. They may also be contacted by the Berwick Shines team for marketing and communications purposes. 

Creative Team 

Gareth Hudson – Lead Artist 

Toby Thirling – Sound Artist 

To be appointed – Choirmasters 

To be appointed – Composer 

Berwick Shines Team  

Lucy Vaughan – Head of Creative Engagement 

Lauren Velvick – Creative Producer  

To be appointed – Engagement Producer 

Nathan Hood – Events Assistant 

Georgia Curry – Events Assistant  

To be appointed – Marketing Assistant 

How to Apply 

We are inviting Expressions of Interest 

Please send: 

• A concise portfolio of your previous relevant work as a PDF with links to video or audio, no more than 4 sides of A4. 

• A current CV (no more than 2 sides of A4) 

• A brief outline of why you are interested in this project and how you would approach the brief. 

Deadline for applications is Monday 23rd June 2025 at 12midday and should be sent to Gareth Hudson at berwickshines@maltingsberwick.co.uk with Berwick Shines Composer in the header.  

Any queries regarding the opportunity in advance of application can be sent to  berwickshines@maltingsberwick.co.uk for the attention of Gareth Hudson. 

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