The John Armitage Trust (JAM) which has been helping nurture young compositional talent in the UK for over 20 years has announced the launch of its 2024 season of concerts entitled 'Music of our Time' — a celebration of new music for choir, brass quintet and organ.
New works
10 new works will be featured, including three world and six London premieres and including eight works submitted to their 2023 competition that attracted well over 200 submissions from across the world.
The pieces will be performed by Onyx Brass, Selwyn College Chapel Choir and Simon Hogan.
Opening concert
The opening concert will take place on Wednesday 20th March (7.30pm) at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street.
A further highlight of Music of Our Time will be the world premiere of a JAM commission by Isabelle Ryder, participant of the Composers' Residency 2023. 'Illumination', written for organ and two trumpets, pays homage to St Brigid (St Bride) of Kildare, patron saint of St Bride's church, where the concert takes place.
The composer said of her work: "Besides her spiritual light spreading far and wide, St Brigid founded Kildare Abbey, famous for its illustrated and decorative manuscripts. 'Illumination' introduces a Celtic-style melody, which is then suffused with mystical harmonies and progressively decorated as the piece builds to its climax."
The opening concert will take place on Wednesday 20th March (7.30pm) at St Bride's Church, Fleet StreetJAM
Writing for Opera
This year JAM's Composers' Residency focusses on 'Writing for Opera' and takes place at JAM on the Marsh from 1th-13th July.
Participants will receive tutoring from composers Jonathan Dove OBE, Professor Shirley Thompson OBE, Professor Paul Mealor LVO CStJ and Dr John Frederick Hudson, librettist Grahame Davies CVO and conductor Nicholas Cleobury.
JAM: Music of Our Time
Wednesday 20th March (7.30pm)
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
London (EC4Y 8AU )
The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge
Onyx Brass; Simon Hogan, organ; Michael Bawtree, conductor
Now on sale via: www.jamconcert.org
