The Foden's Band has announced the launch of a major composers competition and workshop in partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music.

Encourage

Band Manager Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "As well as our youth and education work with brass and percussion musicians we have also decided to encourage compositional talent.

In addition to wonderful prize packages, our Composers Competition will include a workshop in jazz composition and improvisation led by Foden's composer in residence Andy Scott and John Barber."

Two sections

The competition will be run in two sections, with composers asked to submit a concert work of between 4 to 8 minutes in duration aimed at First Section standard.

‘Section 1’ with be for those composers aged 23 and under, and is targeted at graduate level works.

The judges, Pete Meechan, Philip Sparke and Michael Fowles will shortlist five compositions which will be performed by Foden's at an open composer masterclass held at the RNCM on 15th June.

The winning composer will get his/her work published by Prima Arts, and performed at a Foden's Youth Concert as well as on the prestigious Allan Withington Conducting School.

The competition will be run in two sections, with composers asked to submit a concert work of between 4 to 8 minutes in duration aimed at First Section standard4BR

Open Section

‘Section 2’ will be an 'Open Section' for composers of any age.

It is hoped this category (which will not include a workshop) will attract submissions from composers at the start of their professional careers, as well as others.

The judging panel will be Peter Meechan, Philip Sparke, Paul Hindmarsh and Michael Fowles, with the winning work being published by Prima Arts, and with the composer receiving £500 awarded by the Wilfred Heaton Trust.

The work will also be performed at a high profile Foden’s concert, recorded on a Foden's Patrons CD and performed at the 2015 RNCM Festival of Brass at the RNCM. There will also be cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place.

Contact

Those wishing to take part are asked to contact Mark Wilkinson at: marklwilky@hotmail.com