Three talented composers will battle it out in the grand final of St Andrews University’s 600th anniversary composition competition.
The university will host the world premiere of the three shortlisted compositions during a concert night to be held in the Younger Hall next Thursday.
The shortlisted composers are Simon Smith, Simon Wilkins and Mark Boden.
A spokeswoman said, “Shortlisting was blind, though, as might be expected, the selected finalists are all well qualified musicians at the early stages of their careers. The university was delighted to receive 36 submissions from a large and diverse selection of musicians, some of whom were still at school.”
The compositions will be performed by the St Andrews University Symphony Orchestra, for which they were written. A panel of five judges will then decide who has won.
Panel members include the renowned Scottish composer Sally Beamish, university principal Professor Louise Richardson, St Andrews University Symphony Orchestra conductor Thomas Butler, St Andrews University director of music Michael Downes, and composer in residence Richard Ingham.
The winner will receive a £1000 prize and the chance to have their music played as an anthem for the university’s 600th anniversary.
Professor Richardson said, “I am honoured to be involved with the 600th anniversary composition competition. We at the University of St Andrews are deeply committed to nurturing creative development.
“I am delighted that an initiative which offers such an outstanding opportunity for the discovery and showcasing of new talent forms part of our anniversary celebrations.”
Roy McEwan, managing director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the orchestra in residence at the university, is similarly thrilled.
“Supporting and encouraging young creative artists is a crucial responsibility of everyone who works in the arts, and something very dear to the hearts of everyone at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra,” he said.
“This is a marvellous initiative on the part of the St Andrews Music Society and a very special contribution to the 600th anniversary celebrations. Opportunities for composers of any age to hear their work played by an orchestra are rare and very precious.”
Image used under Creative Commons courtesy of Flickr user Luz A Villa.