London’s Wigmore Hall, one of the capital’s most celebrated recital venues, has invited new and established composers to apply for 12 paid commissions for new works reflecting the lockdown experience.
The scheme is for composers who have not previously been commissioned by The Wigmore Hall Trust and is aimed particularly at those that have been under-represented in the 500 commissions Wigmore Hall has made in the last 15 years.
The invitation says, ‘For some, lockdown has been a time of anxiety and despair, of isolation and crisis, of discrimination and inequality. For others, it has been a time of renewal and reflection, resolved and occasionally joy. By commissioning 12 new works, we want to reflect all of these and many other situations.’
Applicants will need to submit scores and recordings of two previous compositions composed since 1 September 2018. Live recordings are preferred but programmed versions using Sibelius or similar software are allowed. Detailed references from teachers, professional composers or music industry professionals are also required.
The deadline for applications is 30 October at noon. The applications will be reviewed by a panel of eminent experts and the 12 winners will be premiered at Wigmore Hall at a later date. Contact commissions@wigmore-hall.org.uk.
