Vacancy Type:
Application deadline:
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Description of vacancy:
ORCHESTRA SEEKS COMPOSER No.7
YORKSHIRE LATE STARTERS STRINGS
New Music Commission 2019-20
Inspired by the success of YLSS’s previous commissions*, we are now inviting entries for our 2019-20 New Music Commission. Four of the submitted pieces will be chosen for a Workshop with award-winning composer Howard Skempton, and YLSS players, and from these one piece will be selected for performance in 2020. In addition, each shortlisted entrant will be offered a one-to-one tutorial with Howard Skempton.
Our aims for the commission are to:
- Create an original piece of music of high quality, which is inspiring, challenging yet technically accessible for YLSS. This will add to the very limited repertoire specifically written for similar orchestras of adult learners.
- Give YLSS the experience of being part of the creative process and of working with a composer. The process of selecting the composer and working on the piece will be designed to involve all YLSS members who wish to take part. Entrants will be encouraged to share with YLSS the inspiration for their piece and discuss the process of composition, to enhance players’ understanding and performance of the music.
- Broaden YLSS’s musical horizons, giving an impetus to developing more adventurous playing and more confident performance.
- Enable an established or emerging composer to work with YLSS in creating a new piece for performance.
How we plan to achieve this:
- Stage 1: An open invitation to established or emerging composers to submit a 10-15 minute composition. All entries will be considered anonymously by the Selection Panel and four will be shortlisted for a Workshop.
- Stage 2: A Workshop for four shortlisted composers. Howard Skempton will give feedback and coaching on each piece as it is rehearsed with YLSS and its conductor Stuart Hazelton. Howard will also offer an individual tutorial with each shortlisted composer. The Workshop and tutorials will be held in Leeds and we will meet travel expenses up to £50 each for shortlisted composers. One composition will be selected for the commission.
- Stage 3: A commission worth £500 (plus contribution towards expenses) to the selected composer to work with YLSS to develop and rehearse their piece for a performance in 2020.
Timetable:
Stage 1:
Call for entries: April 2019
Closing date: 31 July 2019
Shortlisting: August 2019
Stage 2, Selection Weekend in Leeds with 4 shortlisted entrants:
Tutorials: Saturday 26 October 2019
Workshop and selection: Sunday 27 October 2019
Stage 3:
Rehearsals with commissioned composer: Jan-June 2020
First performance: Summer 2020, date to be finalised
Entries should arrive at the address below by 31 July 2019. Entries received after that date will not be considered. All entries will be acknowledged.
We look forward to receiving your entry.
Please send to:
YLSS New Music
c/o 1 Meeting House Lane
Acomb
York YO26 5FD
Full details and an application form available at: http://www.ylss.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/YLSS-New-Music-2019-20-de...
* Previous commissions:
- 2007-8 Winner - Paul Burnell 3 Pieces for Strings, premièred at CoMA Contemporary Music Festival July 2008 and featured on BBC Radio 3 ‘Play to the Nation’ October 2008. Guest composer: Philip Cashian.
- 2009-10 Winner - Laurence Rose a theory of nothing, premièred at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival November 2010. Guest composer: Joe Cutler.
- 2011-12 Winner - Alison Wrenn Battle of the Winwaed, premièred at Headingley Music Festival June 2012. Guest composer: Sally Beamish.
- 2013-14 Winner - Elaine Levene Five Snatched Sonnets, premièred at CoMA Leeds Concert at Heart June 2014. Guest composer: Emily Howard.
- 2015-16 Winner – Phil Taylor I See Faces in Everything, premièred at CoMA Leeds Concert at Heart June 2016. Guest composer: Michael Finnissy.
- 2017-18 Winner – Mark Browse Five Variations on Pange Lingua, premièred at St Barnabas, Weeton July 2018. Guest composer: Judith Weir.
