The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra is thrilled to announce that they have been selected for the Adopt a Composer Scheme 2017/2018. One of seven groups to have come through the competitive process, they have been paired with composer, Esmeralda Conde Ruiz. They now begin a journey together which will result in a brand new piece of music written especially for them and eventually available to the world! The premiere of the work next year will be recorded and aired by BBC Radio 3. They will be mentored by Fraser Trainer who has been involved in the scheme for a number of years.
This scheme offers leisure-time musicians the chance to work directly with a composer, become actively involved in the creative process and contribute to the development of new music. The composer, in return, has the opportunity to form a close working relationship with the ensemble – with the time to respond to the groups personalities and interests; an opportunity not always possible in professional commissions.
Esmeralda is a multi-award winning composer and conductor.
In 2015 she won the award for ‘Best Original Music’ at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and ‘Award of Excellence for Best Score’ at Indie Fest Film Awards for her unique soundtrack of British short film ‘Cusp’. Additionally she runs interdisciplinary choral projects, conducting a 500 strong choir of community voices at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall and collaborating with leading composers, contemporary artists and musicians all over the world including David Lang, Matthew Herbert, Susan Philipsz, Peter Liversidge, Mira Calix and many others.
www.econderuiz.com
The Brighton, UK based group of fretted instrument players was formed in 1995. Originally playing pieces typical of mandolin orchestras from the early twentieth century, the Fretful Federation has expanded and developed its repertoire to include a wide range of material including exciting contemporary music by living composers as well as classical work, popular pieces and concertos.
There are currently about 25 members from all over Sussex who meet weekly to rehearse. Everyone is welcome without audition.
This is such exciting news for us all. Esmeralda will first come to meet and listen to us in rehearsal and concert and then begin working with us in workshops to produce something wonderful which we aim to perform for the first time next summer.
Adopt a Composer is run by Making Music in partnership with Sound and Music (the national agency for new music), in association with BBC Radio 3, and funded by PRS Foundation and the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust. For the second time Creative Scotland has provided additional funding for a Scottish project.
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