We are delighted to announce the official launch of The Commonwealth International Composition Award will take place on 30th April 2019, in Marlborough House.
The evening will be presented by BBC Radio 4 presenter and newsreader, Zeb Soanes.
As well as The Commonwealth Resounds, the main partners and sponsors are the ABRSM and the Purcell School for Young Musicians which is the administrative base for the Composition Award.
Around the world, very few young people are learning how to to compose music This is why the Commonwealth International Composition Award has been created. It will be run and managed by The Commonwealth Resounds, an officially accredited Commonwealth musical organisation, supported by the ABRSM and have its administrative base at The Purcell School for Young Musicians.
In association with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and the Purcell School for Young Musicians
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The Official Launch of the Commonwealth International Composition Award was held at Marlborough House on Tuesday 30th April. It was attended by many distinguished guests from the music profession and the Commonwealth and hosted by Zeb Soanes, BBC Presenter and Author.
Speakers included Her Excellency The Secreatry_General of the Commonwealth, Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda, Geoff Parkin, Artistic Director, Royal Over-Seas League, Michael Elliot, Chief Executive, ABRSM, Paul Bambrough, Principal, The Purcell School for Young Musicians, Daniel Spreadbury, Marketing Manager, Dorico, Kuljit Bhamra, Composer, Tabla Explorer and De-mystifier of Indian Music and Alison Cos OBE, Founder and chair of Trustees, The Commonwealth Resounds.
Two exciting new pieces by young composers were presented. ‘Tiger Teeth’ by Sasha Scott aged 17 (cultural background from Barbados, Jamaica and the UK) performed by a school-age string quartet from the Purcell School for Young Musicians and ‘Adam’s Peak’ by Vionthya Perinpanathan (cultural background from Sri Lanka) performed by Kuljit Bhamra – tabla and Léonie Adams. – cello. Léonie is the Musical Director of Dionysus, Ensemble-in Residence for the Commonwealth Resounds.
There was a great deal of lively discussion! Guests had plenty of time in between speeches and music for networking and conversation. Everyone was treated to tasty snacks and canapés, prepared by Roberts Macnaughten and wines form Commonwealth countries, New Zealand Australia and South Africa!
The Composition Award is already running in four pilot countries – Antigua and Barbuda, India, Rwanda and New Zealand. Young people are being trained to compose their own music, and other countries (including Cyprus and Sri Lanka) are hoping to join them for the second phase of the award.
“A Connected Commonwealth is a Composing Commonwealth!” Her Excellency, Baroness Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
“Composition is a very special and personal thing. I am excited to see what the results will be from the four pilot countries!” Geoff Parkin, Artistic Director, Royal Over-Seas League and Patron of the Commonwealth Resounds
“I have no doubt that the Composition Award will flourish and deliver some life-changing experiences for young people across the globe.”Paul Bambrough, Principal of the Purcell School, the oldest specialist music school on the Commonwealth.
