English Schools' Orchestra Composing Competition 2018
On Thursday 22nd March we held the Finalists' Concert for our third Composing Competition at Cecil Sharp House, London. We received more than 60 entries into this year's competition and the judges narrowed it down to our four finalists David Alexander-Barnes, Jasper Dommett, Joseph Lim and Edwin Sung.
The concert featured the English Young Artists' Sinfonia, a professional chamber orchestra consisting of former members of the English Schools' Orchestra, playing the four best compositions received in this year's competition and a winner was chosen on the night by our three judges. The prize of £250 was awarded to the winning entry.
This was the third running of the English Schools' Orchestra's prestigious composing competition. Our latest competition was for musicians aged between 14 and 25.
Following the highly succesful Competition and Finalists' Concerts in 2014 and 2016, the English Schools’ Orchestra, in association with PRS for Music and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, were once again proud to support a nationwide search to find the brightest young creative musical talent of the 21st century.
The four finalists enjoyed the opportunity of hearing their composition rehearsed and performed by the Orchestra as well as receiving feedback from the performers and the competition judges Edward Gregson, Scott Stroman and Richard Sisson.
The four compositions were very different from each other and this provided the judges with a very difficult decision. After a prolongued discussion, during which time the Orchestra performed Schubert's Symphony No. 5, the winner was announced. The winning composition for the 2018 Competition was Something in the Mist by Jasper Dommett, pictured here receiving feedback from head judge Edward Gregson.
We are passionately committed to helping young musicians to develop their creative and performing talents and this competition provides an exciting venture in fulfilling this aim.
For details of our previous competitions, Finalists' Concerts and to hear a recording of one of the finalist's compositions see the competitions menu at the top of this page.
Finalists
The four finalists in our Composing Competition.
David Alexander-Barnes
Keep Moving
David Alexander-Barnes was born in 1993 and grew up in Sheffield. He began composing at the age of 14 and gained a first-class BMus degree.…more
Jasper Dommett
Something in the Mist
Originally from Devon, Jasper is a young composer studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He is exploring the diverse world of music…more
Joseph Lim
Hearing a flute on a spring night in Luoyang
Joseph Lim, possessing an insatiable appetite for all things musical, is a budding composer, saxophonist and educator. .…more
Edwin Sung
Overture to the Proms
Born in Hong Kong, Edwin's love of music was evident very early on, starting to compose from the age of 12. Although he has always been a self-taught.…more
Finalists' Concert
The English Young Artists' Sinfonia performing Schubert's 5th Symphony whilst the judges deliberate.
The Finalists' Concert was held at Cecil Sharp House on Thursday 22nd March.
The Compositions were performed by the English Young Artists' Sinfonia, conducted by Robert Pepper MBE.
Full Programme
Compositions were judged on the night by the three competition judges, Edward Gregson, Richard Sisson and Scott Stroman.
Photographs courtesy of Alex McNaughton.
• By entering the Competition, the entrant will be deemed to accept these terms and conditions and entrants agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges, which shall be final and binding.
• The entrant may enter the ESO Composing Competition by submitting a completed entry form.
• Entries must be sent in a Sibelius file using the online entry or by sending to competition@englishschoolsorchestra.org together with the completed entry form.
• The Competition was open from 14th October 2017 until 15th February 2018.
• Entries received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• There is no fee to enter the Competition.
• Entrants must be aged 14-25 and a UK resident.
• Only one composition per entrant will be accepted.
• Each participant may submit one composition lasting a maximum of 8 minutes, which must be written for a designated Chamber Orchestra instrumentation (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timps and strings).
• By entering the Competition, the entrant is agreeing to let ESO use their name and composition in public, should they be shortlisted.
• A shortlist of three or more compositions will be prepared by the director of ESO and the judges.
• The shortlisted compositions will be announced on the ESO website and will be performed by the English Young Artists' Sinfonia at a date and venue to be confirmed.
• After the performance, the panel of judges will choose the winning composition. This will be announced at the concert and on the ESO website.
• The prize consists of £250 for the winning Composition.
• The prize is as described and no cash or other alternative will be offered.
• The Winner agrees to participate in any reasonable publicity for the Competition as well as any other promotional events.
• The Winner agrees that the Composition can be used in promotional activity related to the competition including hosting it on ESO website and the winner agrees to up to three performances of the Composition as part of such promotional activity.
• Entrants will not be able to withdraw their composition once entered.
• Personal details of entrants, such as email and phone numbers, will be kept confidential by ESO and not passed to third parties. The name of the shortlisted composers will be revealed by ESO in publicity and programmes for the concert.
• Any further enquiries can be made via email to competition@englishschoolsorchestra.org. These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
Edward Gregson judging during the 2018 Finalists' Concert.
