Attention all musical creatives! Keen to hear from two working composers on their art, its meaning and the methods they use to create it?
On June 23, composers David Bruce and Howard Skempton will be talking part in a special, free-to-attend panel discussion in the Bishopgate Institute, Shoreditch, as part of the Spitalfields Music Summer Festival.
The Meet The Composers audience will hear from the composers themselves on the joys and challenges of composing new music, working with a diverse range of collaborators and their experiences working on unique commissions in unusual settings.
Following the talk, two new pieces by the composers, specially composed for New Music 20×12, will be performed live to bring the festival to a close
Five Rings Triples by Howard Skempton will be rung on the bells of Christ Church by The Society of Royal Cumberland Youth, just five minutes walk from the venue of the talk.
Later, David Bruce’s commission, Fire, will receive its London premiere in Bishop’s Square, Spitalfields. The piece, commissioned by The Opera Group, features words by Vikram Seth and will be performed by the Gabrieli Consort and Spitalfields Singers Community Chorus.
The work will be the grand finale of this year’s Spitalfield Music Summer Festival, featuring 200 voices, live brass and pyrotechnics from some of the world’s most renowned fire artists.
Vanessa Reed, Executive Director for the PRS for Music Foundation, will be leading the Meet The Composers panel and spoke about New Music 20×12 in the run up to the event:
“New Music 20×12 involves twenty outstanding composers and I’m delighted that David Bruce and Howard Skempton will share their personal thoughts about their adventurous and unusual commissions. This talk will be of interest to anyone interested in composition, music-making and collaborating with a composer beyond the concert hall.”
Along side the PRS for Music Foundation, BBC Radio 3 and London 2012, The Incorporated Society of Musicians are one of the chief backers behind the project. Deborah Annetts, CEO of the ISM said:
“The ISM, as the professional body for musicians, is a proud sponsor of New Music 20×12. This talk will be a wonderful moment to hear two composers give insights into their craft and illuminate the art of composing.”
To claim your free ticket, head over to the event website, but do not delay. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
The full programme of twenty New Music 20×12 works will be performed across one weekend (July 13-15) at this summer’s Southbank Centre Festival Of The World.
Will you be attending the talk? What would you like to ask a working composer?