SBBA commission wins prestigious award

THE set work for the 2014 European Brass Band Championships, held in Scotland, has triumphed at a prestigious award ceremony.

Muckle Flugga, composed by Rory Boyle, came out on top in the wind and brass band category of the British Composer Awards, organised by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).

The work was commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) for the European contest in Perth, where it was performed by competing bands. Inspired by the engineering of the lighthouse on the rocky Shetland island of the same name, Muckle Flugga's success was the second time Boyle has tasted success at the British Composer Awards.

Stephen McNeff, BASCA chairman, said: "I am delighted that this year's British Composer Awards includes such a broad range of winners - from relative newcomers to established names. We have succeeded in increasing the number of submissions by a third and this provided a much greater pool of talent from which to judge.

"It also bodes well for future growth and increasing inclusivity. Once again, thanks to our sponsors, PRS for Music and to our broadcast partners, BBC Radio 3 for their support and enthusiasm and for joining with us to celebrate the achievements of contemporary classical music in the UK."

The event, hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Andrew McGregor, took place on Wednesday, December 9, at the British Film Institute (BFI) in London, a new venue for the 2015 Awards, moving from London's Goldsmiths' Hall.

In all, ten composers were honoured across 12 categories, including five first-time winners. BBC Radio 3 will broadcast a programme dedicated to the ceremony on Hear and Now at 10pm on Saturday, December 12.

Alan Davey, controller at BBC Radio 3, said: "Contemporary music is thriving in the UK. As a cultural organisation, BBC Radio 3 prides itself on using the licence fee as venture capital for the arts; supporting and developing new artists, commissioning new works and broadcasting important industry events such as tonight's British Composer Awards.

"Congratulations to all the winners. It's vital we all continue to support our composers and their works, they make such an invaluable contribution to the cultural life of Britain and beyond."