Category Archives: News

Riot Ensemble Commission

I’m delighted to have been selected by the Riot Ensemble to compose a new piece for Juice Vocal Ensemble. Australian composer Holly Harrison and myself have been chosen from 126 applications to the ensemble’s 2014 Call for Scores. I’m looking forward to composing a new piece for the fabulous vocal trio for performance in November!

Selected as BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sound and Music Embedded Artist

I’ve been selected as one of three composers for the SAM Embedded Residency with the BBC SO. The other composers are Tom Coult and Aaron Holloway-Nahum.

We will write pieces for the orchestra over the coming year, which will be performed and recorded at Maida Vale in November 2013. We will also get the chance to try out some of our ideas in workshops early in 2013. This is obviously an amazing opportunity to take some risks and try some things out, and pretty special to be selected in such a competitive atmosphere!

LSO Soundhub Associate

I was recently selected as a LSO Soundhub Associate Composer for 2012-2013. Based at LSO St Luke’s, Soundhub provides a space where composers can explore, collaborate and experiment. It’s amazing to see how many people involved I’ve already met or worked with along the contemporary music road (!), and I’m looking forward to getting involved with some projects this year.

ICP 2011

At the weekend I was selected by an international jury as one of three prize winners in the International Composer Pyramid 2011. I am very honoured to therefore move through to the final phase of the competition, organised by Sounds New and Coups de Vent, to be held in 2012.

Here is a recording of my piece played by the ICP Ensemble, conducted by the masterful French conductor Philippe Nahon. He did an absolutely fantastic job with the ensemble, which is formed of British musicians from the Ossian Ensemble (director Darren Bloom) and players from Coups de Vent.

Momentum by ben_oliver_music

I should have more news soon about performances that will arise from being selected as a prize winner.

The Workers Union at the University of Leeds, Friday 4th March at 1.05pm

The Workers Union Ensemble are performing my new work Ripped Up for ensemble and live electronics as part of the University of Leeds lunchtime concert series at 1.05pm in Clotherworker’s Hall this Friday. I’m conducting my piece and Matt Kaner‘s Gauguin Sketches. Should be a good gig!

ICP

I’m pleased to say I was chosen as one of two winners of the ‘International Composers Pyramid’ on Saturday for my piece Smash and Grab.  The jury panel were Paul Patterson and Rolf Hind for the UK and Philippe Boivin and Philippe Hurel for France.  I’m very excited to have been chosen and look forward to the various opportunities it will lead to – watch this space for what they are!!