New face of BBC Proms Inspire: Nurturing the nation's brightest young composers

For the past 18 years, the BBC Proms Inspire scheme for young composers has offered a platform to 12-18 year olds across the UK to develop their skills, share their ideas with like-minded composers and get their music heard. In 2016 the scheme is expanding, offering composers of the future new opportunities and events year-round to encourage and support them.

Published: 4 January 2016
BBC Proms’ long-established and justly celebrated Inspire Competition is the UK's leading event for young composers – and a wonderful opportunity for musically curious people aged 12 to 18
— Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music and 2016 Inspire Competition judge
  • New face of BBC Proms Inspire scheme for young composers
  • The 2016 BBC Proms Inspire Competition is announced
  • BBC Radio 3 celebrates Inspire on In Tune and Radio 3 In Concert as part of their New Year New Music season 

For the past 18 years, the BBC Proms Inspire scheme for young composers has offered a platform to 12-18 year olds across the UK to develop their skills, share their ideas with like-minded composers and get their music heard. In 2016, the scheme is expanding, offering composers of the future new opportunities and events year-round to encourage and support them.

New features for members of the 2016 Inspire scheme include:

  • Priority booking to Inspire Sessions - interactive workshops and projects led by professional musicians and composers
  • Exclusive ticket offers to BBC Performing Group concerts and BBC Proms
  • Access to a thriving community of like-minded young composers and industry professionals
  • An annual networking event
  • Offers and opportunities via the Inspire newsletter, and a range of online information and resources

"The BBC Inspire scheme is like no other; the opportunity to work with professional musicians in a supportive and friendly environment was, for me, a memorable experience I will cherish for years to come," said Grace Mason, Senior Inspire winner 2013.

At the heart of the scheme, the BBC Proms Inspire Competition for young composers aged 12–18 offers its winners the unrivalled opportunity to have their composition performed by professional musicians at the BBC Proms, the world’s largest classical music festival, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, as well as a coveted BBC commission. The search for the 2016 Inspire Competition entrants opened today, announced on BBC Radio 3’s drive time programme In Tune. The closing date for entries is 26 May 2016.

The judging panel for the 2016 Inspire Competition is made up of music industry figures and composers including Joe Cutler, Jonathon Dove, Anna Meredith, David Pickard, Fraser Trainer and Judith Weir.

"BBC Proms’ long-established and justly celebrated Inspire Competition is the UK's leading event for young composers – and a wonderful opportunity for musically curious people aged 12 to 18,"
said Judith Weir, Inspire Competition judge 2016.

Throughout the first week of January, BBC Radio 3 celebrates Inspire on In Tune and Radio 3 In Concert as part of their New Year New Music season. Following the launch of the competition on In Tune today, Anna Disley Simpson, winner of the senior category in 2014 and now an Inspire ambassador, will be interviewed live on the programme tomorrow. To round off the week, Master of the Queen’s Music and 2016 Inspire Competition judge, Judith Weir, will be joined by Tammas Slater, winner of the 2015 Junior category, on Friday to share their thoughts on the scheme.

Every night this week, Radio 3 In Concert marks the launch of Inspire with recordings of winning entries or Radio 3 commissions from past competition winners, during the intervals of the evening’s live concert. Please see notes to editors for the full schedule of recordings.

Over the past 18 years, the Inspire scheme has provided a platform for aspiring and talented young composers, with previous competition winners including Tansy Davies, Alissa Firsova, Mark Simpson and Duncan Ward.

For full terms and conditions please visit bbc.co.uk/proms

Notes to Editors

Schedule of performances on Radio 3 In Concert, week of 4 January 2016

Monday 4 January
Fantasia for Strings, Matthew Kelly, Junior winner in 2015
Performed at the Royal College of Music by Aurora Orchestra as part of the 2015 Proms season

Tuesday 5 January
The Bitter Cut, Grace Evangeline Mason, Senior winner in 2013
BBC Radio 3 commission, performed by members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Seal at Maida Vale studios in 2014.

Wednesday 6 January
Like the Wind, Finlay Stafford, Senior winner in 2015
Performed at the Royal College of Music by Aurora Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Collon as part of the Proms 2015 season.

Thursday 7 January
Dark Ocean Lights, Sarah Gait, Senior winner in 2012
BBC Radio 3 commission, performed by members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Duncan Ward at Maida Vale studios in 2014.

Friday 8 January
Expansions, Daniel Penney, Junior winner in 2015
BBC Radio 3 commission, premiered at the Why Music festival at the Wellcome collection in 2015 by members of the Aurora Orchestra

CD4/DH

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