ORA Singers selects 30 young composers for mentoring scheme

The initiative was launched in 2018, opening solely to UK state schools, where many students have limited access to specialist composition mentoring.

The need for music support for state school students has become even more crucial in the last year, as the pandemic has made it impossible for students to take part in choirs and orchestras.

The 10 finalists who will be enrolled onto a special scheme of mentoring with composers Ken Burton, Janet Wheeler, Richard Allain, Kim Porter and Harry Escott are:

Pip Alpin 18, Warton (Ripley St Thomas CofE Academy)

Ceri Amison 17, Newbury (St Bartholomew’s School)

Raj Bhaumik 17, Milngavie (Douglas Academy)

Jacob Cooper 16, Carnforth (Queen Elizabeth School)

Hannah Doyle 17, Blackpool (Blackpool Sixth Form College)

Ana Geoghegan 18, Wimbledon (Ursuline High School)

Aidan MacLean 17, Lisburn (Friends’ School)

Samuel Cole Mpengo 18, West Ham (School 21 and 621)

Samuel Oliver-Sherry 16, Netherton (St Michael’s Church of England High School)

Sequoia Ralph 18, Fulham (West London Free School)

The Competition Final Concert, where all of the finalists will hear the world premiere performance of their new works, is scheduled to take place on Saturday 24th July 2021.

In addition to the 10 finalists, ORA Singers has selected an additional 20 ‘ORA Apprentices’, who will be enrolled on their own scheme of compositional support, led by composer Rory Wainwright Johnston.

Matthew Beale, chief executive of ORA Singers, said: 'We have heard from so many talented and enthusiastic composers, and have been so excited by their love of creating music and desire to learn more. We are thrilled to have been able to offer them this unique opportunity, and to provide for them an experience that could help them develop professionally, socially, and creatively. We cannot wait to see where these young composers go in the future.'

Full details and updates on the competition will be available on the ORA Singers website.