City of Birmingham Brass Band
Budding young composers from Birmingham and Solihull are being given the chance to hear their work played by a live brass band, in a newly launched competition.
The City of Birmingham Brass Band (CBBB) has launched its first ever Young Composer of the Year competition, inviting composers aged 25 or under who live or study in the Birmingham and Solihull areas, to write an original piece of music for the band.
The finalists will hear their music performed by the City of Birmingham Brass Band at a live X-Factor-style final later this year, to be held at the award-winning Joseph Chamberlain Six Form College, in Highgate.
The music will be judged by a panel of judges and the audience; with prizes awarded by both. All finalists will also receive a live recording of their music.
Liz Monk, Chair of the CBBB, said: “We wanted to update the traditional image of a brass band, become more involved with our local community, attract new audiences and help to promote up-and-coming musicians within the region.
“We thought our Young Composers Competition was a great way to do all these things and we’re really looking forward to meeting, working with and performing for lots of new people. It’s a very exciting time for us”, she added.
The competition is open to new and up-and-coming composers, who are invited to write an original piece of music for a brass band, up to a maximum length of ten minutes.
“A lot of composers do all their work on computers these days and don’t often get the chance to hear how their piece sounds until its first performance. Here’s a fantastic opportunity for young composers to work first hand with the musicians, understand an instrument and the player’s capabilities and let their piece evolve live,” explained Liz.
Entrants are asked to register their interest by the 31st May, by emailing Birminghambrass@yahoo.co.uk, or by calling Liz Monk on 07717 725 471.
Further details of the competition and the rules can be found on the band’s website, www.birminghambrass.co.uk