The primary commitment of the Composeher team from the outset has been to ensure that the seven commissions culminate in live performances which reflect the best of available female composer talent within the industry today.
To achieve a performance of the highest possible quality, it was essential that the seven commissions be compatible with the Glasgow School of Art Choir’s musical abilities and stylistic sensibilities. With his intimate knowledge of the choir and its past repertoire Musical Director, Jamie Sansbury, embarked on the difficult selection process.
Our seven composers come from varied musical backgrounds. Some are award winning career composers of choral music. Several have experience as musicians, singers and performers themselves. Many are educators in musical composition or lead various charity/community musical outreach programmes. Others come from a background as sound designers for mixed media, ranging from theatre productions to television and film.
Ultimately, though, what they all share is experience of having their commissioned works performed and recorded and, indeed, recognised across the wider industry.
In addition, the final group is made up of female composers at various stages of their careers. Some are full time professional composers; others are part-time or have recently moved into full time roles as professional composers. The group also reflects a range of styles, from folk and classical, to modern alternative vocal music.
Although an amateur ensemble, the GSA Choir is passionate about commissioning and performing new work that will extend the reach of choral music to new audiences. Composeher fits into the GSA Choir tradition of working with a range of composers to create and perform exciting new work. Our previous commissions and projects include works by highly celebrated composers such as Ken Johnston, Shona Mackay, Jay Capperauld, and Sir James MacMillan.
We are incredibly excited to be embarking on this new musical project and hope that it not only creates greater awareness and focus on musical works composed by women, but also acts as a catalyst for wider discussion about the makeup of the industry.