London Chamber Orchestra relaunches emerging composer scheme

The London Chamber Orchestra (LCO) is reviving its emerging composer scheme, renaming it LCO New.

Participants will get the opportunity to work with LCO Composer in Residence Freya Waley-Cohen, and have their work performed in the opening concert of LCO’s 22/23 season.  

The programme invites composers who are early in their careers to apply, exclusively accepting those who have never heard their work performed by professional musicians. All ages are welcome, and applications will close on 18 March 2022.

The LCO is building upon the earlier composer scheme that was active in the early 2000s. Graham Fitkin, who worked as the composition coach for previous scheme, is returning to the programme as a panellist alongside Blaiso Kavuma.

David Kidane, a composer on the previous scheme commented: ‘It's brilliant to hear that the LCO are reviving their emerging composer scheme, LCO New. It was such a fantastic experience for me as a student to be able to work with LCO and Graham Fitkin, who was the composition coach at the time.’ 

‘Having my piece Temporal Decay performed and recorded by professional musicians was an invaluable opportunity and it's been great to hear it performed again by LCO with Christopher Warren-green at Cadogan Hall, 10 years later.’

LCO Diversity, Inclusivity & Equality officer Elise Campbell comments: ‘There is no upper age limit, and applicants won’t need to read music or write a score and we will offer a long application window to give composers the time and space to submit their work. Personalised feedback will be available to any applicant who wants to receive it.’

For more information, visit www.lco.co.uk/learning/lco-new