NCEM announces Young Composers Award 2022 with Consone Quartet

The National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) has launched the NCEM Young Composers Award 2022 with BBC Radio 3, and opened registration for  entrants. This year, the award has partnered with BBC New Generation Artists, the Consone Quartet. 

To enter the award, young composers are invited to write a new piece for string quartet, and cater for the Consone Quartet who play period instruments. In addition, entrants are invited to learn about composer Fanny Mendelssohn, and take influence from her work. 

The award day will be held at the National Centre for Early Music in York, where the shortlisted compositions will be presented in a workshop led by composer Professor Christopher Fox, and performed by the Consone Quartet in the evening. 

The two winning pieces – one from the 18 years and under category, and another from the 19 to 25 years category – will be performed by the Consone Quartet at the Stour Music Festival on 26 June 2022. 

Delma Tomlin MBE, director at the NCEM said: ‘The Young Composers Award is one of the most important dates in the NCEM’s calendar and gives us a vital opportunity to work with the wider community.’ 

‘Last year we received an astonishing number of applications from all over the UK and we’re sure that enthusiasm to take part will just keep on growing. This year we’re thrilled to be working with the Consone Quartet, who will be guiding the shortlisted composers and performing their pieces.’

'This year, the compositions will be performed at the prestigious Stour Music Festival and, of course, broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show – a brilliant beginning for any young composer.’

The closing date for registration is 18 February 2022, and the deadline for submission of scores is 18 March 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by 8 April and will be invited to attend the award day in York on 19 May. 

To find out more, or to apply, visit www.youngcomposersaward.co.uk