Cumnock Tryst launches summer school

Ayrshire-based music festival The Cumnock Tryst has opened applications for its inaugural International Summer-School for Composers. The festival’s first summer school will run from 4 to 10 August where students will get the chance to learn from composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir and festival founder Sir James MacMillan.

The week-long residential course is open to aspiring composers between the ages of 18 and 30. After applications close on 23 February, eight candidates will be chosen to participate in the programme which will take place at 18^th century stately home and King’s Foundation headquarters, Dumfries House.

A professional ensemble assembled for the school will be on hand to work with the composers throughout the week. It will offer composers the chance to create work for the unique combination of string ensemble and contrabass clarinet and is comprised of violinist Gordon Bragg, violist Ruth Gibson, cellist Christian Elliott and contrabass clarinettist Scott Lygate. The summer school will culminate in a public performance on 10 August, during which the ensemble will perform the composers’ work from the week.

Successful applicants will work with composer-conductor and Cumnock Tryst founder and artistic director Sir James MacMillan who grew up in Cumnock and who often advocates for composition’s place in the musical curriculum. Sir James will be joined by Icelandic Anna Thorvaldsdottir who has been commissioned by organisations including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, International Contemporary Ensemble, BBC Proms, and Carnegie Hall and has held residencies with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Aldeburgh Festival and the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music.

The International Summer School for Composers course fee is £1,975 which includes all tuition, accommodation and meals at Dumfries House, and the performance and recording of composers’ work. Financial assistance is available to those who can demonstrate a need for support.