New Music in the South West

New Music in the South West (NMSW) is a non-profit new music organisation based in Bristol, England. Founded in 2012 by English composer Julian Leeks, with the intention of developing new, young audiences for contemporary classical music, NMSW puts on concerts and educational events at venues across the West Country. They have also commissioned new work from composers including John Pickard, Anna Meredith and Michael Ellison.
Concert Programme
The first NMSW concert took place on Sunday, 19 May 2013 at Colston Hall, Bristol. A programme including music by Graham Fitkin, John Pickard, Michael Ellison and Olivier Messiaen was performed by an ad hoc ensemble of Rhiannon John (flute), Luis Ingels (clarinet), Angharad Redman (violin), Eleanor Jones (cello) and Manos Charalabopoulos (piano). Since then NMSW has developed a close relationship with the Bristol Ensemble who have performed in a number of NMSW concerts. The first full programme of NMSW concerts and educational events took place between November 5, 2013 and 7th Sept 2014.
A concert at St. George’s, Bristol on 7 September 2014 (“Carnival of the Animals meets A Modern Menagerie”) comprised of a performance of Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals interleaved with 14 specially commissioned responses to the Saint-Saëns originals. The programme also featured pieces by the two finalists from the inaugural NMSW Young Composers’ Prize.
Education Work
NMSW undertake visits to schools giving talks and holding discussions on subjects such as what is classical music? They also put on composition workshops for students studying GCSE and A’Level music at the region’s schools and hold an annual composition competition, the NMSW Young Composers’ Prize. Emily Potter was announced as the first ever winner of the prize at the 2014 Season Finale concert at St. George’s on 7 September 2014.
In 2015 the NMSW Young Composers' Prize will have the theme "Place:Music and Memory", with pieces being composed in response to local landmarks, historical events or notable figures.
Commissions
New Music in the South West has commissioned and premièred the following new music:
Marzelan Salleh - Melayang,
Kostis Tsioulakis - Inertia,
Manos Charalabopoulos - Danza de los animales,
Sara Garrard - Speech,
Kostis Tsioulakis - Penthos,
Arthur Keegan-Bole - Duo for Violin and Cello,
Andy Keenan - Circle for Two: Face to Face,
Daniel Linker - Renounce,
Manos Charalabopoulos - Introduction and Lion's Royal March,
Andy Keenan - Wild Asses,
Julian Leeks - Tortoise,
Anna Meredith - Elephant,
Jean Hasse - Kangaroos (2),
Michael Ellison - Aquarium: A Penguin in Istanbul,
Litha Efthymiou - Myisi,
Sara Garrard - The Wood Pigeon: presiding over the entire garden,
Geoffrey Poole - Fossils 2: Jurassic Tango,
Jean-Paul Metzger - (After) Pianists,
Jolyon Laycock - The Swan,
John Pickard - Finale: Dance of the Animals,

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu