Winners announced for 2023 NCEM young composers award

Winning works by Owen Spafford and Jacob Jordan will be premiered by The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble at Manchester’s Stoller Hall in November.

Owen Spafford (left) was announced as the winner of the competition's 19 to 25 years category and Jacob Jordan (right) as winner in the 18 years and under category - Courtesy of the NCEM

The National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) has revealed the winners of its Young Composers Award. Owen Spafford was announced as the winner of the competition's 19 to 25 years category and Jacob Jordan won in the 18 years and under category.

Now in its 16th edition, the competition final took place at the National Centre for Early Music in York on 12 May. Compositions by eight finalists were performed by period instrument group and 2023 competition partners The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble after a day-long workshop with the young composers, led by Ex Cathedra composer-in-residence Liz Dilnot Johnson.

The award is presented in partnership with BBC Radio 3. Sam Jackson, who recently took up his new role as BBC Radio 3 Controller, said: ‘Since joining the BBC as Controller of Radio 3 a few weeks ago, one of the many things I have been impressed by is the station’s clear commitment to nurturing young musical talent… I’m delighted that, once again, BBC Radio 3 is joining forces with our colleagues at the National Centre for Early Music to give composers the opportunity to write for period instruments, and that we will have the privilege of a first broadcast of their works on the network.’