Three Guildhall School graduates named LPO Young Composers
We are thrilled that three Guildhall School graduates have been selected for the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s (LPO) Young Composers programme.
Guildhall alumnae Elif Karlıdağ (Opera Making & Writing 2023) and Asha Parkinson (Saxophone 2020), together with MMus graduate and current PhD candidate Joseph Graydon, have been named among the LPO’s five Young Composers for the 2026/27 season.
Each will be mentored by the LPO’s Composer-in-Residence, Sir George Benjamin, throughout the 2026/27 season, creating a new work for chamber orchestra. Their compositions will be heard at the LPO’s Debut Sounds showcase at the Southbank Centre in summer 2027, performed by musicians from the orchestra and Future Firsts, the LPO’s talent development scheme for early-career orchestral players.
The year will also include composer seminars and workshop rehearsals, as well as the opportunity for the composers to attend concerts, observe rehearsals, meet guest composers, learn from experts from across the music industry and engage with the LPO’s wider education work.
Elif, Asha and Joseph are all already building up their profile as composers.
Elif was selected for the London Symphony Orchestra’s 2025–26 Panufnik Composers Scheme and is currently on the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Composers programme which includes a commission from the RPS. Other recent commissions include English National Opera, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Presteigne Festival and the Three Choirs Festival.
Asha’s career to date has combined her work as a composer and saxophonist, across jazz, classical and world music traditions. Her music has been performed by ensembles including the English Chamber Choir, TableMusic and the Ligeti Quartet, and her debut album Possession, recorded with her band Kalpadruma, has received critical acclaim.
Joseph is currently completing his doctoral research at Guildhall. His music has been performed and recorded by ensembles and musicians including ICTUS Ensemble Brussels, EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble, the Bozzini Quartet, UPROAR New Music Wales, Darragh Morgan, and Plus-Minus Ensemble.
To learn more about studying composition at Guildhall School, please visit the Composition department pages on our website.