The Commonwealth Resounds connecting musical cultures since 2005
We promote music and musicians across the Commonwealth through collaborative events worldwide with a particular focus on young people and the developing world. Thousands of our musicians have been involved in our life-changing projects and gala performances including the opening of the Royal Commonwealth Society’s brand-new auditorium in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, as part of Prince Charles's Official Dinner for the 53 Heads of Government in Sri Lanka and at the Official Launch of the Prince's Trust in Malta. Our musicians have also given regular appearances at the Commonwealth Observance Day services at Westminster Abbey and at Commonwealth Forums Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Uganda, Perth and Sri Lanka. In 2015 our Commonwealth Festival Choir and Orchestra gave a Concert for the President of Malta at Verdala Palace in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. We have been proudly supported by the Royal Over Seas League, the International Federation of Musicians, the Musicians’ Union Phonographic Performance Ltd, The Royal Society of St George and numerous Rotary Clubs throughout the UK and overseas.Xiaole Zhan from New Zealand wins the first-ever Commonwealth International Composition Award!
‘photo reproduced with permission’
On Tuesday 14th January in the Royal Over-Seas League’s beautiful Princess Alexandra Hall, in the presence of a highly distinguished audience, Xiaole Zhan, a brilliant young composer from New Zealand was awarded the first-ever Commonwealth International Composition Award for her highly original composition.
……speech having its way again, I gave a cry…..
Adjudicators Judith Robinson, Duncan Chapman, Bushra El-Turk, Barbara Law and Orphy Robinson were deeply impressed by Xiaole’s work
Xiaole herself says
“ I’m always in awe of the power of music. Consider this, here we all are, strangers from all over the world brought together as a community by music. I feel so honoured to be among this community of inspiring young composers and musicians. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels incredibly encouraged by this award. It’s not always easy sharing oneself through a medium like music which demands absolute transparency. This award has made me feel braver in sharing these shards of myself. In fact, the word ‘courage’ is in the word ‘encourage’. Thank you, sincerely, for this opportunity, and may we all continue to courageously forge global communities through sharing our music”.
Xiaole has won some excellent prizes, including a cash prize and fully-funded composition lessons with a tutor of her choice. She will be offered a new commission for the celebrated young concert pianist and winner of the 2014 BBC Young Musician of the Year, Martin James Bartlett. The Commonwealth Resounds, the ABRSM and the Purcell School hope that New Zealand’s cultural organisations will help us to give Xiaole plenty of publicty and accolades for this really outstanding achievement.
Please let us know if you would like any more information about Xiaole or the Commonwealth International Composition Award
Alison Cox OBE, Founder and Chair of Trustees, The Commonwealth Resounds – alisonresounds@gmail.com
Publicity and Marketing – Jane Hunt – janeresounds@gmail.com
Philip Dutton – Composition Award Manager cicompositionmanager@gmail.com
Other Award Winners
Aliyah Ramatally from Trinidad and Tobago
Winner of The Audience Vote for her composition ‘Mundo Nuevo’
Isaiah Hui Zhou Rong from Singapore
The Dorico Award for Innovation
Commonwealth International Composition Award Grand Final
We are delighted to announce that Joy Hardy, aged 18 is the winner of the Commonwealth@70 Fanfare Competition
Our adjudicators felt that Joy’s piece genuinely represented the spirit and character of the Commonwealth. Warmest congratulations to all the young composers who wrote pieces for consideration.
News and Projects
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The Commonwealth International Composition Award Shortlist Announced
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The Commonwealth International Composition Award
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The Commonwealth International Composition Award
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