We are thrilled to announce that we have appointed James B. Wilson as Cherubim’s ‘Composer in Association’, so we can make a real-time contribution to the musical world. James is going to compose a work for our flute awardee Lily Owens, which we hope will receive a premiere in a year’s time.
About James:
James B. Wilson is an award-winning composer of contemporary classical music based in Bedfordshire, England. James’ music focuses on the rich textural, timbral and harmonic possibilities of acoustic instruments, and the voice. He is at heart a storyteller. His output is particularly notable for a number of works that explore visceral stories of contemporary life.
Some highlights included his piece 1922, a tribute to a century of broadcasting (commissioned by the BBC), which was heard by a million strong audience globally at the historic Last Night Of The Proms. And his landmark work Remnants which re-opened the Southbank centre after 2020’s tragic covid epidemic. In this work James responds to 2020’s BLM protests and most viral image, depicting Patrick Hutchinson saving a counter protestor. The piece garnered attention worldwide and was named by the BBC as one of 11 crucial musical moments from the century. This is music that dares to tell a vital story of our time.
Other works in his output range from intimate music for soloists and duets, to immersive electronic pieces, ensemble music, and works for orchestra.
James studied, with a scholarship, at the Royal Academy of Music under Gary Carpenter and David Sawer, and also took frequent lessons with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. He has also won a number of awards, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Composer Award, Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award and worked with many leading musicians of our times, including Benjamin Grosvenor, Atlanta Symphony, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Genesis 16 and Note Inegales. James is an NMC Recording Artist and his music is broadcast internationally. Notably, he was the first ever composer commissioned by the Chineke! Orchestra.
Photography by Beth Walsh Photography/Orchestras Live/Nottinghamshire Share Sound
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