Graduates Appear in Welsh Composer’s Showcase

Luke Starkey and Timothy Wilson, who graduated last year, have been selected among just six composers to share their work at the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ Welsh Composer’s Showcase this coming Sunday.

The scores will be performed as part of a two-day workshop in Cardiff’s Hoddinott Hall and were selected by Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jac van Steen, Composer-in-Association Simon Holt and Resident Composer Mark Bowden, who will be leading the project.

As the project is not open to undergraduate composers, this is the first time these two have been eligible to submit scores and the fact that two of them have been included in the shortlist is testament to the quality of the composition training offered at undergraduate level at the College under the leadership of one of Wales’ most prolific composers, John Hardy.

“We are delighted that our former students are benefiting from this project, initiated by one of the UK’s most prestigious orchestras. We wish them and the orchestra well in the process of exploring and polishing these pieces of music.”
John Hardy

The project is open to composers born or living in Wales and forms part of the Education and Community Outreach activity of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The aim is to showcase works by living composers worthy of wider exposure. Luke will be introducing Bloom and Timothy will be unveiling Twisting Motion:

“The title Twisting Motion is derived from the almost constantly shifting orchestral textures, and the long melodic lines of this work which constantly twist and turn in on themselves. This work echoes the classical Rondo form, with a thematic anchor point that occurs three times throughout the piece, twice in the brass and once on the solo violin with the intermediate material traveling to a slightly different place after each anchor.”
Timothy Wilson

We’re very much looking forward to hearing these compositions performed by the BBC’s National Orchestra of Wales at the evening concert on Monday the 4th of March at 7pm.