Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to announce 22-year-old Liverpool-born Richard Miller as the winner of its second, annual Christopher Brooks Composition Prize in association with The Rushworth Foundation.

Richard wins a cash prize of £1,000 made possible through the support of the Lancashire Sinfonietta Legacy Fund and The Rushworth Foundation and a year’s complimentary membership of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA). All three organisations are supporting the competition for a second year running.

The Christopher Brooks Composition Prize provides a unique opportunity for a young North West composer, aged 18-30 years to develop his or her talent, access mentoring and guidance from leading artists and music industry professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic. It culminates in the composer writing a new work that will be premiered by Ensemble 10/10, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s new music group, in autumn 2017.

Richard will be supported with a bespoke programme of workshops, masterclasses and mentoring sessions from resident and visiting musicians, conductors, composers, performers and other industry professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic.

He will also develop his composition and teaching practice through access to Liverpool Philharmonic’s programme for children and young people, including Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, Youth Orchestra and Choirs, higher education partnerships and the transformative In Harmony Liverpool programme.

Richard has recently completed a Degree in Composition and in September embarked on an Masters Degree in Composition, both at the Royal College of Music, studying with Kenneth Hesketh and Simon Holt. He has also worked with composers Sally Beamish, Colin Matthews, Mark Simpson and the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. His music has been performed by ensembles including the BBC Singers and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Richard is Director of Music at St. Michael’s Church in London’s Camden Town and Artistic Director of the St. Cecilia Ensemble. He is holder of a Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust Post-Graduate Composition Study Bursary 2016-17; and will benefit for a Help Musicians UK travel bursary during 2016-2017.

On winning the second Christopher Brooks Composition Prize Richard said:

“I am incredibly excited to begin this residency with Liverpool Philharmonic. The Orchestra played a pivotal role in the formative years of my musical education since I first heard them perform live at the age of thirteen. Before I moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music, I was also privileged to sing in the fantastic Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir for two years.

“To hear the musicians from the Orchestra play my music would be, without any exaggeration, a dream come true and I am grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity by an organisation that has already given me so much.”

Vick Bain, CEO of BASCA said: “We are delighted to continue to support this fantastic award for the second year running. One of BASCA’s main aims is to encourage the next generation of composers and schemes such Liverpool Philharmonic's emerging composer prize do exactly that. We are looking forward to working with Richard Miller and supporting him in his ambitions next year."

Peter Garden, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Executive Director (Performance and Learning) said: “The Christopher Brooks Composition Prize represents Liverpool Philharmonic’s continuing commitment to the commissioning and performance of new music and supporting home-grown talent. Congratulations to Richard. We want his year with us be a hugely enjoyable one that will benefit his work as a composer.”

Notes to Editors

Richard Miller
www.richardmillermusic.co.uk
Twitter: @rmillermusician
Soundcloud: richardmillermusician
Photograph of Richard Miller © Andreea Tufescu

The inaugural Christopher Brooks Composition Prize was won in 2015 by 23-year-old Bethan Morgan-Williams. Her work, Mirages in Pisa was given its premiere by Ensemble 10/10 in October this year in concert at Liverpool’s St. George’s Hall Concert Room.

Panel of Judges 2016

Andrew Cornall, Artistic Director (Consultant), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Peter Garden, Executive Director (Performance and Learning), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Sally Groves, former Creative Director of Schott Music Publishers
Professor Stephen Pratt, Professor of Music, Liverpool Hope University; Emeritus Professor, Gresham College, London
Clark Rundell, Head of Conducting and Director of Contemporary Music, Royal Northern College of Music
Jonathan Rushworth, The Rushworth Foundation

The late Christopher Brooks was a founder of the Lancashire Sinfonietta (now sadly disbanded) and gave an immense amount of support and encouragement to young musicians during his lifetime.

The Rushworth Foundation, established by Jonathan Rushworth whose family were founders of Liverpool’s famous music retail and pipe organ building business, Rushworth & Dreaper, continues a 176-year tradition of support for the musical life of the city of Liverpool.

BASCA is the voice for music writers with a history going back over 65 years. BASCA campaigns in the UK, Europe and throughout the world. In addition to staging the British Composer Awards, the Gold Badge Awards and The Ivors every year, BASCA is also the independent professional association representing music writers in all genres, from songwriting, through to media, contemporary classical and jazz. BASCA members include Sir Paul McCartney, Dizzee Rascal, Michael Nyman, Gary Barlow, David Arnold, Sir Elton John, Imogen Heap, Howard Goodall, John Powell, Kate Bush, Chris Martin, and many more.
basca.org.uk

Media enquiries and further information from:
Jayne Garrity, Head of Communications, Liverpool Philharmonic
Tel: 0151 210 3791 / 07967 364241, email: jayne.garrity@liverpoolphil.com