Latest News!

23rd June 2007

St Albans New Music Day 2007 renews the search for
‘undiscovered’ composers

The St Albans Symphony Orchestra (SASO), supported by its professional partners at the City of London Sinfonia (CLS), is again looking for talented composers who would like to hear their music performed by a full orchestra at its 2007 New Music Day. 

Following the resounding success last year of the first-ever New Music Day, the orchestra is again inviting composers who are not professionally represented to submit suitable scores for public rehearsal and performance.

Around six works will be chosen to be played by SASO and members of the CLS on Saturday 15^th September in St Saviour’s Church, St Albans.

The scores will be selected in consultation with Paul Patterson, one of Britain’s most frequently performed contemporary composers who is also Manson Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He will attend the New Music Day to share his expert advice and experience with the chosen composers.

James Ross, conductor of the St Albans Symphony Orchestra said: “Our first New Music Day, with Roxanna Panufnik as professional adviser, attracted an impressive range of scores in different styles that proved rewarding for the performers and audience as well as the composers. We had no hesitation in deciding to repeat the experience and are delighted that another distinguished British composer, Paul Patterson, has agreed to contribute his expertise.”

He added: “Once again we are indebted to the Arts Council, the Eastern Orchestral Board and St. Albans City Council for their generous support that has enabled us to create this opportunity for composers whose talents may, as yet, be little known.”

As with last year’s event, up to two places on the day will be reserved for composers living in Hertfordshire, provided scores of sufficient quality are received.

The orchestral forces available include full string, wind and brass sections, plus timpani and percussion*. Composers will be allowed to record the rehearsal and performance of their work for personal and non-commercial use. Music publishers will be invited to send their representatives to the event.

The deadline for submitting scores is July 31^st 2007. Composers are asked to send:

• a CV (maximum two pages) with contact address and e-mail;
• a full score (preferably without C transpositions)
• a sample CD of the score (computer generated or piano reduction)
• a £10 administration fee per score submitted

Submissions should be sent to Mrs Gillian Stansfield, Secretary, St Albans Symphony Orchestra, 71 Watford Road, St Albans AL1 2AE. Enquiries to: secretary@saso.org.uk.

The selection of scores will be completed by mid-August.

Regretfully, the anticipated number of submissions means we cannot offer feedback to composers on scores that are not selected for performance.

For further information, contact: 

Dr James Ross (Conductor) - 07768 810354
David Utting (SASO Press Officer) - 01727 762855 -- 07930 313790

* Woodwind: 3 (inc. piccolo; alto flute).2 (inc. cor). 2 (inc. bass clarinet).
2 (inc. contrabassoon)
Brass: 4.3 (inc. piccolo tpt).3.1
Percussion: Timpanist + 2 percussionists. Instruments available: bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, wood block; also keyboard (for celesta etc.), piano.

Scores for additional players / instruments may be submitted, but fixing these would be the responsibility of the composer. (SASO will assist with co-ordination whenever possible).