Richard Miller wins Christopher Brooks Composition Prize
Friday 4 November 2016
RCM composer Richard Miller has been announced as the winner of the Liverpool Philharmonic's second, annual Christopher Brooks Composition Prize.
Richard wins a cash prize of £1,000 made possible through the support of the Lancashire Sinfonietta Legacy Fund and The Rushworth Foundation and a year’s complimentary membership of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA). He will be supported with a bespoke programme of workshops, masterclasses and mentoring sessions, and will also develop his composition and teaching practice through access to Liverpool Philharmonic’s programme for children and young people.
Richard, who is studying at the RCM with Kenneth Hesketh and Simon Holt, said: 'I am in incredibly excited to begin this residency with Liverpool Philharmonic. The Orchestra played a pivotal role in the formative years of my musical education since I first heard them perform live at the age of thirteen. Before I moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music, I was also privileged to sing in the fantastic Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir for two years. To hear the musicians from the Orchestra play my music would be, without any exaggeration, a dream come true and I am grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity by an organisation that has already given me so much.'
Vick Bain, CEO of BASCA said: “We are delighted to continue to support this fantastic award for the second year running. One of BASCA’s main aims is to encourage the next generation of composers and schemes such as Liverpool Philharmonic’s emerging composer prize do exactly that. We are looking forward to working with Richard Miller and supporting him in his ambitions next year”.
Peter Garden, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Executive Director (Performance and Learning) said: “The Christopher Brooks Composition Prize represents Liverpool Philharmonic’s continuing commitment to the commissioning and performance of new music and supporting home-grown talent. Congratulations to Richard. We want his year with us be a hugely enjoyable one that will benefit his work as a composer.”
The Christopher Brooks Composition Prize provides a unique opportunity for a young North West composer, aged 18-30 years to develop his or her talent, access mentoring and guidance from leading artists and music industry professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic. It culminates in the composer writing a new work that will be premiered by Ensemble 10/10, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s new music group in autumn 2017.
Image © Andreea Tufescu
