The University of Salford, in partnership with Kirklees Music Publishing has announced the 2013 winner of the Kirklees Composition Competition as Oliver Blyth.

Sparkling

Oliver's sparkling concert opener, entitled ‘Soaring on High’, was the unanimous choice of the jury which included the university’s Dr Robin Dewhurst together with David and Graham Horsfield representing Kirklees.

Performance

Oliver received a trophy and certificate during the annual Salford Celebration Concert, while the formal premiere was recently given by the University Band under the baton of Dr Robert Childs during their visit to Regent Hall London in April.

‘Soaring on High’ will be available as part of the Salford Collection from Kirklees in the near future.

Launch pad

Professor Peter Graham told 4BR: "The Kirklees competition is one of the most important dates in the university calendar and has been an important launch pad in the professional careers of a number of young composers such as Dan Price, Richard Rock and Ludovic Neurohr.

We value the partnership with Kirklees and look forward to a continuing mutually beneficial relationship."

The Kirklees competition is one of the most important dates in the university calendar and has been an important launch pad in the professional careers of a number of young composersProf Peter Graham

More in future

Dr Robert Childs added: "’Soaring on High’ is a super concert opener, and if Oliver sustains this standard of writing I'm sure we will be hearing a lot about him in the future."