Overlapping with the St. Magnus Festival, the 10-day Composers' Course (13th to 24th June 2009) provides an opportunity for eight composers to share in an intensive period of study in a stimulating and supportive environment.
The course is directed by composers Alasdair Nicolson and Sally Beamish and includes sessions led by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and opportunities to hear, meet and work with professional musicians performing at the Festival. Psappha, resident ensemble for the duration of the Festival, will enable students' pieces to be developed and rehearsed during the course and to be performed during the Festival on Wednesday 24th June.
The course runs concurrently with Orkney Conducting Course, providing a unique opportunity for the composers to collaborate with eight emerging professional conductors.
Individual tuition gives each composer the chance to present scores to one of the resident composers, allowing for critical comment and feedback on a one-to-one basis.
Prior to attending the course, each composer will have started work on a new piece of music (5–7 minutes) for instrumental ensemble. The work will then be developed and rehearsed by the ensemble and performed at a St Magnus Festival Composers' Concert on 24th June. Each composer's work will be conducted in rehearsal and performance by an Orkney Conducting Course participant and a recording of the Composers' Concert will be available to the students on completion of the course. |
