PRSF support in the East of England
Aldeburgh Festival
The Aldeburgh Festival is a unique event in the musical calendar and hugely valued by performers and music lovers alike. It has developed a reputation as a festival with a clear artistic vision and a strong commitment to the programming of new work and talent.
Funding from the PRS Foundation has meant that the festival is able to continue their commitment to programming new music. The 2009 Aldeburgh Festival will open with the world premiere of Harrison Birtwistle’s new double bill, Semper Dowland and The Corridor – the support of the PRS Foundation has helped to make this possible.
For more information on the Aldeburgh Festival, visit www.aldeburgh.co.uk
Cambridge Folk Festival
The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world. Since 2002, funding from the PRS Foundation has supported the Club Tent at the Festival. It has enabled the Club Tent to become re-designated as a New Songwriters Stage, dedicated to new music, and a platform where all artists booked by the Festival, and especially new and unsigned acts, perform original music alongside new arrangements of traditional folk material. The Festival also runs a popular workshop programme in the Club Tent.
www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk
Britten Sinfonia
Regarded as one of the UK’s most energetic and innovative groups, Britten Sinfonia features a collection of the country’s most talented and creative musicians, many with solo careers. Since its formation in 1992, Britten Sinfonia has developed into one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras, establishing residencies in Cambridge, Norwich, Birmingham and Krakow. Composers commissioned for 2009-10 include Gwylim Simcock, Nico Muhly, James MacMillan, Christian Mason and Ulrich Kreppein. Their extensive programme of workshops, pre-concert activities, coaching and children’s concerts run by the Creative Learning Department underpins the orchestra’s dedication to introducing music to new audiences. Funding from the PRS Foundation will help to develop all these activities.
www.brittensinfonia.com
Bury St Edmunds Festival
Bury St Edmunds Festival is a 17 day arts festival taking place every May. The support from the PRS Foundation to Bury St Edmunds Festival has helped to underpin and encourage the Festival’s ongoing commitment to new music.
www.buryfestival.co.uk
Kettles Yard
Kettle’s Yard New Music series is known for professional concerts showcasing young composers and musicians alongside more established names. The series takes place in the beautiful house at Kettle’s Yard with its distinctive collection of modern art. The intertwining of art and music is integral to the founder Jim Ede’s original vision for Kettle’s Yard. The PRSF funded new music series is the musical partner to the contemporary exhibition programme and has been running for ten years.
www.kettlesyard.co.uk
Rhythms of the World
Rhythms of the World (ROTW) is an annual festival of world music held in Hitchin, Hertfordshire each July. Organised and run entirely by volunteers, ROTW aims to foster, promote and increase public interest in music and the Arts. Funding from the PRS Foundation supports the running of the event, enabling the festival to promote unsigned acts performing their own music.
www.rotw.org.uk
New Works
There have been a variety of PRSF funded new works commissioned by organisations in East England. Earlier this year, the Hertfordshire Chorus premiered a new work by Orlando Gough at Kings Place in London, whilst the Fairhaven Singers performed the world premiere of Will Todd’s Requiem in St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Upcoming PRSF funded works include a Stuart MacRae commission for the Wolsey Orchestra in October and a commission from Saxmundham & District Rotary Club for a choral work from Joseph Phibbs in 2010.