Four Yorkshire-based composers are to collaborate with a leading contemporary music group to create work which will premiere at hcmf 2010. Now in its second year, the hcmf & Nieuw Ensemble Composers' Professional Development Programme offers rising talents from the region’s universities the chance to compose music for Amsterdam’s Nieuw Ensemble.

The selected composers are Patrick Allison and Johnny Herbert from the University of Huddersfield and Edward Caine and Stephanie Conner from the University of York. They will travel to Amsterdam in February to meet the 12-piece ensemble. Under the artistic direction of Joël Bons, who co-founded the group in 1980, Nieuw Ensemble features the combination of string, wind and percussion with plucked instruments such as mandolin and harp, presenting both a challenge and a distinctive opportunity for composers.

Having tested out and refined their ideas at a second weekend workshop in May, the composers will prepare their pieces over the coming months before seeing them performed by Nieuw Ensemble at hcmf 2010, which runs from 19 to 28 November.

Run as a partnership between hcmf, Nieuw Ensemble and Yorkshire Universities and supported by NFPK and the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund, last year’s programme featured composers Ben Isaacs, Lauren Redhead, Dimitris Maronidis and Jenny Jackson.

“The tuition and guidance has been invaluable and The Nieuw Ensemble provided an environment where I felt encouraged and enabled to try new things”, Jackson recalls. “It was amazing to have a piece performed to a packed hall and at the festival at an evening concert – very rewarding and a high-point of my composing career so far!"

Isaacs adds: “I have gained a tremendous amount from the programme. This was the largest ensemble I have written for and the longest-term project I have been involved with, and simply working in this context has really helped my development. I think that I would have learnt far less and developed much more slowly as a composer in 2009 if I hadn’t been involved in this scheme. Having the opportunity to present my work on such a prominent public platform was really valuable and has given me a basis to build on professionally.”

More about the hcmf & Nieuw Ensemble Composers' Professional Development Programme participants:

Edward Caine was brought up in the north of Scotland and is currently pursuing a PhD in composition at the University of York. He also works freelance as an organiser for contemporary music promoter Late Music and music publishers UYMP, and is resident music tutor for Vanbrugh College, where he runs three ensembles.

Stephanie Conner specializes in contemporary vocal music and jazz composition. Her work has been performed in York Minster, at York Spring Festival and on BBC Radio 2. She has written works for the Chimera Ensemble, Juice, Trydydd, Bright Cecilia, John Potter and the 24. She is working towards a PhD in composition at the University of York. She also played for two years in the folk band Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, touring Europe, the USA and Australia and appearing widely on television and radio.

Johnny Herbert graudated with a first class degree from the Royal College of Music in London, also receiving the highest award for composition. He spent a year studying privately with Rebecca Saunders and attending seminars led by Walter Zimmerman at the Berlin UdK. He is currently studying for his MMus in composition at the University of Huddersfield under the guidance of Dr Aaron Cassidy. His music has been performed in the UK and across Europe, by artists including Ian Pace, Richard Haynes, Kevin Bowyer and Neil Heyde.

Patrick Allison was born in Sheffield in 1985. His works have been performed by Christopher Redgate, Matthew Haynes, Philip Thomas and EXAUDI, as well as numerous non-professional performers. He studies with Bryn Harrison and is currently finishing a two-year Masters course in composition at the University of Huddersfield. He is also active as a performer of experimental, rock and community based music.

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