University News Last updated 30 March 2011
Birmingham Conservatoire is to host its annual Frontiers Plus Festival during the first week of April 2011.
This festival is a platform used to celebrate and showcase the new music from staff and students of the Conservatoire, which is part of Birmingham City University, who will present world premieres of their work with a strong focus on the way in which contemporary composers combine acoustic instruments and electronics.
Amongst the staff showcasing their work, are the prestigious four commissioned composers of the London 20x12 Cultural Olympiad, announced in December 2010.
Visiting professionals will also have their work performed during the festival – Laurence Crane (joint winner of the 2010 New Millennium Commission) will present his world premiere to audiences through the professional ensemble Decibel (currently resident at Birmingham Conservatoire) who explore experimental, extreme and unusual work. Decibel performs three times throughout the festival showcasing the work of pioneering composers.
Joe Cutler, head of the composition department at Birmingham Conservatoire and one of the four commissioned composers for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, said: “We’re delighted to be presenting so many world premieres during this year’s Frontiers Plus Festival from both emerging and established composers working across a huge variety of styles.”
The festival will be held from Monday 4 April through to Friday 8 April at Birmingham Conservatoire. Tickets can be purchased on the door of the event with free entry for Monday afternoon’s Composers’ Platform. All events can be found on the website www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire and selecting ‘Events Calendar’.