JRNCM Student Is BBC Young Composer

Junior RNCM celebrated success recently when 18-year-old Grace Evangeline Mason won the BBC Proms Inspire Young Composers’ Competition for her composition Convergence.

The BBC Proms Inspire scheme is for budding composers aged 12 to 18 who want to write their own music. It provides them with a friendly environment to share ideas, participate in workshops, meet other young composers and develop their creativity. The Young Composers’ Competition offers winners an unrivalled opportunity to have their music played by professional musicians at the BBC Proms and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Each composer also receives a BBC commission.

Grace, who was one of three winners in the Senior Category (17 to 18 years), said: ‘I feel elated and privileged to be a BBC Young Composer and I'm so thankful for the fantastic opportunity to hear my piece played as part of this year's Proms! I also appreciate the excellent tuition I have received from the Junior RNCM this past year as it has really encouraged me to strive for such a competition as this.’

Karen Humphreys, Head of Junior RNCM, added: ‘Grace’s win is excellent news, both for her as an aspiring young composer and JRNCM as it marks the fifth time a Junior student has won the competition in eight years – that’s a great achievement.’

Convergence will be performed by the Aurora Orchestra in a BBC Proms concert conducted by Nicholas Collon at the Royal College of Music on Wednesday 7 August, and an edited version will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Friday 9 August.

25 June 2013