Applications open for LCO’s new emerging composer scheme

London Chamber Orchestra (LCO) has opened applications for its newly launched emerging composer scheme, LCO New. Five successful candidates will get the opportunity to work with LCO Composer in Residence, Freya Waley-Cohen, this summer, with their work performed in the opening concert of LCO’s 2022/23 season.

Composers of all ages are welcome to apply. Applicants must be early in their careers and should not have had their work performed by professional musicians. The current scheme builds on the orchestra’s earlier programme, which was active in the early 2000s.

Daniel Kidane, who was a member of the LCO's previous scheme, said: ‘It was such a fantastic experience for me as a student… Having my piece Temporal Decay performed and recorded by professional musicians was an invaluable opportunity and it's been great to hear it performed again by LCO with Christopher Warren-green at Cadogan Hall, 10 years later.’

LCO orchestra regularly commissions and performs UK and world premieres by living composers and the LCO New scheme is part of the orchestra’s commitment to pursuing fresh new compositions. This year’s submission reviewing planel will include composer Graham Fitkin, composer, arranger and curator Blasio Kavuma, and current LCO composer in residence Freya Waley-Cohen.

LCO’s diversity, inclusivity & equality officer Elise Campbell commented: ‘LCO New is about finding the most exciting emerging talent and, wherever possible, removing any barriers to participation… With this in mind, there is no upper age limit, and applicants won’t need to read music or write a score and we will offer a long application window to give composers the time and space to submit their work.’

Candidates can apply via the LCO website. Applications will close on 18 March 2022.