Alumni Shortlisted for British Composer Awards

Alumni Emily Howard, Lucy Pankhurst and Sir Harrison Birtwistle have been shortlisted for a 2016 British Composer Award.

Announced today (Tuesday 25 October), this year’s nominations features 33 works across 11 categories, including contemporary jazz composition, choral, orchestral, sonic art and small chamber.

Emily, a Senior Lecturer in Composition who graduated in 2004, is nominated in the small chamber category for Afference; Lucy, a 2006 alumna (pictured above), is in the Community or Education Project category for Brass Roots; Music Wings; and RMCM alumnus Sir Harrison Birtwistle (below) appears in the stage works category for his work The Cure.

Crispin Hunt, Chairman at BASCA, said: ‘This year BASCA introduced a number of changes to the submissions and judging process to ensure the British Composer Awards are representative of the wealth and diversity of talent here in the UK. The resulting shortlist announced today is a great snapshot of the creative expression that is contemporary classical, jazz and sonic art. Add to this our two new awards, the recipients of which will be announced at the ceremony, and the 2016 British Composer Awards promises to be a great night. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted today.’

Highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of the UK’s music community, 20 per cent of composers on this year’s shortlist were born overseas, 38 per cent are women (the highest number in the Awards’ history), and 50 per cent are first time nominees. The Awards are presented by BASCA and sponsored by PRS for Music; in association with BBC Radio 3 providing exclusive broadcast coverage of the Awards. To learn more click here.

25 October 2016