Young English composer Christian Overlord is celebrating European success after the 21 year old recently beat off rivals from around the world to win the prestigious ‘Slide Factory’ competition in Rotterdam.
130 entrants
Over 130 composers entered works, with seven chosen to be played at the final held at the De Doelen Hall in Rotterdam, venue for the 2012 European Brass Band Championships.
Kaleidoscopic Mist
Christian’s seven-minute composition for six trombones entitled, ‘Amid a Kaleidoscopic Mist', was performed by the renowned New Trombone Collective, and found favour with the international panel of judges which included Johan de Meij and Martin Padding, as well as the audience, who gave it standing ovation.
Christian won the first prize of 1,500 euros, ahead of talented Spanish composer Santi Miguel in second place.
Bowled over
Christian told 4BR that he was so bowled over by his victory that he was left to wander through the streets of Rotterdam on his way back to the hotel, still clutching the five foot long rainbow coloured presentation cheque!
Surreal
"It was a bit surreal," he said. "To have my work performed by such a wonderful group of musicians was a great honour, but for it to be so well received and to then to win was amazing. At the end of the night I just wandered back to my hotel with a huge smile on my face, and an even bigger cheque tucked under my arm."
Amazingly Christian is not a music student at one of the UKs leading conservatoires or universities, but enjoys life as an instrument repairer at First Brass Ltd owned by bandsman Shawn Pagington.
To have my work performed by such a wonderful group of musicians was a great honour, but for it to be so well received and to then to win was amazingChristian Overhead
Gifted musician
Shawn told 4BR that they knew they had a gifted musician on their books every since he joined the company in 2010.
"He’s a very good player, great instrument technician, and now a prize winning composer too. I’ve heard a couple of his works and they are fresh and original, with a real touch of flair about them.
We are delighted that we are able to support him as he is also in charge of our second hand music library, which he’s always delving into."
No stranger
Christian has been composing seriously over the last few years and is no stranger to the banding world, as he is currently principal cornet with Raunds Temperance Band.
"I started playing when I was seven and have managed to move up from third cornet to principal in the last few years.
I enjoy composing and have had a number of my works performed in public, including ‘Iguazu’ at the Ohio Brass Arts Festival, ‘Fanfare & Theme’ by Raunds at the Bolsover Contest last year, and ‘Echo and Narcissus’ at the recent RNCM Festival of Brass John Golland competition."
Test pieces
He hopes that this latest success will lead him to be able to write substantial works for brass bands and orchestras.
He added: "I have already been approached to write some more works for the New Trombone Collective and I would like to be able to write a brass band test piece as well as a substantial work for orchestra."
Personal inspiration
His prize winning composition with its intriguing title for four tenor and two bass trombones had a very personal inspiration though. ‘Iguazu’ is named after a South American waterfall he visited a couple of years ago:
"I can’t really say what, but I do like odd titles with personal meanings – its gets people thinking more about the music."
Cheque
And as for that five foot multi coloured cheque?
"It’s now stuck on the wall of my bedroom, but the real one is already deposited in the bank. I don’t know how I would have explained it to customs if they asked where it came from," he said with laugh.
