Musician and composer Katie J (Year 12) clearly likes to keep herself busy. In January, she entered the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Go Compose competition for young composers, and was one of five winners. As a result, over half term she was awarded a place with resident composer Hywel Davies and international composer Mark-Anthony Turnage as well as musicians from Kokoro ( BSO's new music group). She was given two days to write a new piece for cello and flute which was then recorded by these musicians.
Katie found out earlier this term that she had been accepted to the National Youth Orchestra of Wales for Violin, and a few days ago received the call that she has been waiting for. When next term comes to an end, she will be heading to America for three weeks to take part in the Summer Programme at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She will be studying composition under David Ludwig ( Head of Composition at Curtis) and Dr Jonathan Bailey Holland from Harvard University, experiencing a rigorous conservatory schedule that is described as a challenging and supportive. Katie is really looking forward to not only meeting distinguished faculty members but also the other high school and college-age musicians from around the globe. She will receive weekly private instruction in composition and attend composition master classes with celebrated faculty, will have the opportunity to compose music that will be performed by the chamber musicians in Curtis and also play violin as part of the orchestra. Katie will be attending masterclasses by two outstanding guest artists: Missy Mazzoli, “Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart” (Time Out New York); and Christopher Rouse, faculty at the Juilliard School and Peabody Institute. It's looking like a challenging but exciting summer, Katie, we look forward to hearing about how you get on!