The Ivors Academy has announced the nominations for the 20th edition of The Ivors Composer Awards, which celebrate the best new works by composers writing for classical, jazz and sound art.
This year nearly half of the list are first-time nominees, with emerging composers up alongside more established names. The Ivors Composer Awards are supported by PRS for Music, and winners will be announced on 15 November at a ceremony at the British Museum introduced by BBC Radio 3 presenters Hannah Peel and Tom Service.
As with previous years, the shortlist of nominated works highlights the importance of the commissioning process. Commissioners of this year’s nominated works include orchestras, festivals and individuals including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, BBC Singers, BBC Proms, Garsington Opera, Opera North, Oxford Lieder Festival, Juliet Fraser and many more.
In addition to the winners of nine nominated categories, three special awards recognising sustained contributions to music will be presented on the night. The Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Works Collection, presented in association with the Music Publishers Association, will celebrate an exceptional classical composer whose music demonstrates the highest degree of skill, impact and originality. The Ivor Novello Award for Innovation, supported by the Musicians’ Union, acknowledges an innovative composer and musician whose creative practice inspires and influences successive generations. The evening will close with the presentation of an Academy Fellowship in recognition of excellence and impact in the art and craft of music creation.
Tom Gray, chair of The Ivors Academy, says, ‘I would like to congratulate every nominee and thank every composer that entered work for consideration. For twenty years The Ivors Composer Awards have recognised and celebrated the talent and artistry of composers in this country. An Ivor Novello Award is judged by fellow composers and recognition from our peers makes these awards so meaningful. We are determined to increase the voice and influence of composers over the next two decades so that we strengthen and grow as a community.’
Andrea Czapary Martin, chief executive officer at PRS for Music, says, ‘The Ivors Composer Awards provides an unmatched platform that recognises excellence in the classical, jazz, and sound art communities. It is encouraging to see that almost 50% of those nominated are first time nominees, highlighting the flourishing creative talent we have in the UK. This is exactly why we are proud to have invested and supported the awards from the beginning and continue to pledge our support as the awards go beyond their 20th anniversary. Congratulations to all those nominated, we look forward to honouring the winners in November.’
The full list of nominees is available here.
