Creating new music

2nd-year BMus student Lucy McPhee writes about her exciting year as a young composer…

“As my second year at Cardiff draws to a close I can reflect on what has been a very exciting year for me so far.

“I have continued to enjoy every aspect of my course but I feel this year I have developed as a performer but especially a composer.

“I was very fortunate to be given the solo saxophone part for the UK Premiere of Jolivet’s Poemes Intimes, performed by the Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra (CUSO) as part of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s City of Light Festival. This was an amazing opportunity, in addition to being able to record it for CUSO’s next CD.

“I was also very excited to be chosen again to have my composition performed in the Second Year Composition Performance Showcase. This was the second consecutive year I have been selected, I was very excited to go through the process again.

“As a result of this I was approached by Dogpole Drama Company who wish to use my composition ‘The Argument’ in their production of ‘Yvette’ in Autumn 2015. I have been sent one of the trailers being used to promote the production which includes my composition.

I have also recently heard that I have been accepted for the National Youth Arts Wales Young Composers Residency this summer. I will be joining other young composers on the National Youth Orchestra of Wales course this summer composing a piece of music for a small ensemble made up of players from the orchestra.

“The piece I compose on the course will then be performed at various venues when the orchestra go on their tour. I am very excited to take part in this amazing opportunity after returning from the upcoming CUSO Tour to Germany and Belgium.

A very busy but very exciting summer ahead for me!”