Liverpool Philharmonic has announced Christopher Brooks Composition Prize for young composers, in association with The Rushworth Foundation.
The prize is open to any composer aged 18-30 living, studying or working in the counties of Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester who is not represented by a publisher.
The winning composer will write a new work for performance by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians which will be premiered in Autumn 2021.
They will also receive a cash prize of £1,000 and receive one year’s complimentary membership of the Ivors Academy
Peter Garden, executive director, Liverpool Philharmonic performance and learning said: ‘Liverpool Philharmonic is thrilled to provide opportunities for music creators from Liverpool and the North West of England. The Christopher Brooks Competition Prize builds on our extensive work supporting new music by composition students at University of Liverpool, young composers in Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, In Harmony Liverpool and Resonate Music Hub’s A Level Music course, along with the many local, national and international composers we commission to write new work for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and associated ensembles.’
Jonathan Rushworth, The Rushworth Foundation, said: ‘The Rushworth name has been synonymous with music in Liverpool and the North West for well over a century. We are keen to preserve the legacy and heritage of the family’s support for music and the arts in Liverpool and are delighted to support this competition to encourage composition by young people.’
Grace-Evangeline Mason, a previous participant, said: ‘The Christopher Brooks Prize was a fantastic opportunity to surround myself with the expertise of brilliant professional musicians in the most welcoming and friendly environment imaginable, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. As well as writing for these musicians, there is a wealth of developmental experiences as part of the prize that are astonishingly valuable as a composer. It is a relationship that I now deeply cherish and will continue to do so for many years to come.’
Entries will be judged by a panel which includes leading composers, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians and senior management, and music industry professionals.
The application deadline is Monday 29 June. Find out how you can apply.
