NYCGB announces 2021 young composers and fellowship schemes

The schemes each offer a fully funded, year-long programme of professional development opportunities to emerging professionals from a range of backgrounds and genres.

The selected participants are:

Kristina Arakelyan, 26, originally from Armenia

Alex Ho, 26, from London

Anna Disley-Simpson, 24, from Dorset

Derri Joseph Lewis, 23, from Berkshire

Fellows Michael McCartan, 24, from Newry Co.Down, Northern Ireland

Benedict Goodall, 23, from Oxford

Shivani Rattan, 22, from North East London

Elizabeth Leather, 26, from Worcestershire.

Now in its third year, the Young Composers Scheme supports the development and diversity of new choral music. Selected composers aged 18-29 will attend a range of residential courses, creative retreats, workshops, peer and professional mentoring and performance showcases along with advice and tuition from distinguished composers. It also provides the opportunity to write music to be sung and performed by NYCGB’s five choirs.

The Fellowship programme for emerging choral leaders, aged 20-27, offers opportunities to train and work with NYCGB staff and members across the range of its choirs and through key involvement in NYCGB’s Learning & Engagement programme.

The workshop training on the scheme will shape the NYCGB Fellows into the young choral leaders of the future. Participants also have access to a unique mentoring programme run in partnership with AOTOS (Association of Teachers of Singing). 2021 Fellows will perform as the standalone NYCGB Fellowship Ensemble and form the core of the National Youth Chamber Choir.

The Fellowship perform at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Saffron Hall, Southbank Centre, Cadogan Hall, Snape Maltings and the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham.

Guest mentors and workshop leaders across the schemes include Jacob Collier, Dame Sarah Connolly, Errollyn Wallen, John Rutter, Roxanna Panufnik and The Swingles.

Ben Parry, NYCGB artistic Ddirector & principal conductor said, 'We’re delighted to welcome eight highly talented musicians to our 2021 Young Composer and Fellowship schemes. With their diverse backgrounds, unique talent, styles and influences we are confident they will all thrive on our programmes. Developing talent and enriching the choral music sector for the future has never felt more important.'

View Young Composers Profiles: https://www.nycgb.org.uk/young-composers-2021

View Fellows Profiles: https://www.nycgb.org.uk/current-fellows