Judith Weir CBE judges Guildhall Young Artists Composition Competition

11 young composers aged 14–18 make it to the final of Guildhall Young Artists composition competition RELEASE, selected by an adjudicating panel including Judith Weir CBE, Composer and Master of the Queen's Music and BAFTA and Ivor Novello winner Rob Lane.

In February 2022, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday centre across the Guildhall Young Artists network, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Concert Music, Music to Picture, Off the Page and Songwriting. Cash prizes were given to the top three compositions in each category and all runners up were given a voucher for the Barbican Chimes Music Shop. 

Jeffery Wilson, Junior Guildhall Coordinator of Composition, came up with the idea for RELEASE in 2021, as a platform for students to express their creativity. Students who had no previous composition experience were particularly encouraged to enter, with all participants receiving written feedback on their compositions.

Two adjudication panels had the difficult decision of narrowing down 90 entries from a range of ages and abilities to a short-list of 29 compositions, down to a final 12. Three compositions were chosen from each category and there were 11 finalists in total, with one student winning two categories.

The adjudication panel for the first round were Barbara De Biasi, Film Music Professor at Guildhall School; Nina Danon, Composer and Sound Artist; John Human, Pianist; Pippa Cleary, Musical Theatre Composer, Songwriter and Lyricist and Rachael Hill, Singer-Songwriter.

The adjudicators for the final round were Judith Weir CBE, Composer and Master of the Queen's Music; Rob Lane, Film & TV Composer; Sasha Siem, Singer-Songwriter and Scott Stroman, Jazz Professor at Guildhall School. 

Congratulations to our finalists:

• Concert Music: Torin Christopherson (first prize), Jacob Cavendish (second prize),  Mylo Pape (third prize)
• Music to Picture: Phoebe Apfel (first prize), Finty Woolf (second prize), Jack Murray (third prize) 
• Off the Page: Erin Snape (first prize), William Everitt (second prize), Finty Woolf (third prize) 
• Songwriting: Casey Joan Whyte (first prize), Steele Forbes Thomas (second prize), Rosie Trentham (third prize) 

You can see the RELEASE playlist and all of the finalist’s compositions on YouTube.

Judith Weir CBE, Composer and Master of the Queen's Music, says:
“I was amazed at the quality and creativity of the RELEASE shortlist I was invited to judge. The three finalist works to be heard in the concert were chosen with difficulty - everything I saw was of a very high standard.”

A few of the finalists told us what the competition means to them:

Torin, from Junior Guildhall says: "The GYA RELEASE competition is important to me because there are limited opportunities to have a piece performed with an ensemble of this calibre.  It’s also encouraged me out of my comfort zone in areas such as improvisation."

Mylo, from Guildhall Young Artists Online says: "I began composing just over a year ago and this is the first competition I have entered. To be shortlisted as a finalist is an immense honour and is incredibly encouraging and motivating to me."

Phoebe, from Junior Guildhall says: “For me this has been a huge opportunity to produce new music in multiple categories, which is especially important to me since my style encompasses several genres, and I am so grateful for this competition giving me a platform to share what I have created. Several of my GYA classmates have also participated alongside me so it has been a brilliant way for me to appreciate and uplift the works of other young composers." 

Finty, from Guildhall Young Artists Norwich says: "This competition means so much to me because I hope to go into the film music industry one day, and I feel this competition brings me closer to that goal."

Jack, from Junior Guildhall says: "I have loved my experience with the RELEASE competition. It has inspired and driven me to write music that has allowed me to expand my portfolio and become more experienced writing for different things."

Erin, from Junior Guildhall says: "This competition is an amazing opportunity to have my work seen by highly talented musicians, and to be recognised as a finalist amongst my peers is a huge honour." 

William, from Junior Guildhall says: "For me, the RELEASE competition is a rare opportunity to submit your work into a high profile draw, judged by phenomenal musicians, and allows you to meet and hear other like-minded composers’ music and make connections."

Casey, from Guildhall Young Artists Online says: "I think the RELEASE Competition is very good because it has a variety of categories so lots of different styles of music can be entered. It’s also good that it’s open to Under 18’s and it gives participants the chance to have their work heard by professional composers."

Steele, from Centre for Young Musicians London says: "As a visually impaired person, I rely on my ears more than most sighted people. Music and composition have played a big role in my life from an early age so being recognised for this competition means a lot to me. I wrote ‘Squeeze My Hand’ in memory of my father who died last July. He was always an avid supporter of my music so although he isn’t here to hear my song, I hope to do him and myself proud."

Rosie, from Junior Guildhall says: "I am so glad to have been involved with RELEASE for two years in a row. It is such an eye opening display of creativity and I really enjoy listening to other students hard work." 

See the RELEASE playlist and all of the finalist’s compositions on YouTube.

Photo Credit: Benjamin Ealovega