Student composers from across Scotland were given a fantastic opportunity to write a six-minute piece of music for a special workshop with leading British composer, Mark-Anthony Turnage.

A collaboration between SCO Education and Glasgow's Concert Halls, this was a composition competition aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate composers based in Scotland. The winning entrants had their composition performed by a group of SCO players (The Lab music project) with conductor James Lowe and renowned jazz bassist John Patitucci.

Students had been asked to compose a short work for a classical ensemble and an improvising soloist and were encouraged to think outside their normal composition world by using different styles and genres within the piece.

What happened next...?

Six scores were chosen by a judging panel comprising Scottish-based composers Stephen Deazley and Alasdair Nicolson and conductor James Lowe for inclusion in the workshop.

Having studied the scores beforehand, Turnage then gave valuable feedback and advice to the composers during the session. The workshop was alsorecorded on CD as a resource for the students.

Jazz Bassist John Patitucci

Concert

This workshop was linked to the SCO's Classic meets Jazz Adventurer concert, which included the UK premiere of Turnage's new concerto for double bass and six string bass guitar, A Prayer out of Stillness, performed by John Patitucci.

"Supporting new music and education are fundamental priorities for the SCO and they come together here in drawing on work across the organisation, bringing together new talent prompted by the world premiere performances of a new SCO commission from one of the leading composers of the day and reconfirming the SCO's position at the forefront of music in education"

SCO Managing Director Roy McEwan

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If you would like more information on SCO Education's wider programme of projects, please contact:

Lucy Perry - 0131 478 8355
SCO Education
SCO, 4 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5AB