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In the wake of Martin’s sudden death, September 2012, Martin Read Foundation was established in 2014, as a platform for the continuation of his passions for music teaching, composition and contemporary music. This annual Festival is the highlight of the Foundation’s year – a day full of music-making and performance, exploring and celebrating contemporary composition. MRF has presented many world premiere performances, and showcases young composers supported by the Foundation.
Festival 2024:
We came, we sang, we played!
28th April, at Alton College, Hampshire.
In a packed day of workshops and rehearsals, contemporary music was explored and celebrated by ages 13 to 84, singing & playing.
The Festival is the culmination of our annual scheme supporting young composers. This year it not only provided performances of pieces for percussion by our 4 award-holders: Albert Heathfield, Joe Jolliffe, Charlie Jones & Will Sharps, it also provided a platform for 3 of our alumni: Pernlle Faye, Ella Laughton & Felix Sladen-Jewell.
Award-holders, alumni, workshop directors, performer-in-residence and Trustees.
Super-star percussionist, Toril Azzalini-Machecler, BBC Young Musician finalist 2020, directed a percussion workshop.
In the early evening concert, Toril gave a recital of the 4 award-holders' pieces, joined by performances from each workshop group:
Flexible Ensemble, Festival Choir &
Percussion Workshop.
Toril directing the percussion workshop in a lively samba.
It was great to witness our alumni thriving on their compositional paths, and to see our award-holders onto theirs, with super-star percussionist Toril Azzalini-Machecler in action... wowing us all!
FESTIVAL GALLERY​​
Award scheme '24 for young composers
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On March 16th, our 4 awarded composers
featured in the
Junior Department Contemporary Music Concert
at the
Royal College of Music, London.​
Cameron Sinclair gave premieres of MRF
award-holders' commissions for percussion.​​
L to R: Simon Speare - composer-mentor, Albert, Charlie, Joe & Will - award-holders, Cameron Sinclair - Head of Percussion,
Dame Judith Weir- patron, Freddie Hodkin - trustee.
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We are grateful to Dame Judith Weir - master of the King's Music '14 - '24, for her encouraging comments to the young musicians, and her praise of the growing partnership betwen RCMJD and MRF.
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Dame Judith summed up the event:
I am hopeful about the future of music education because I have the great encouragement of seeing enterprises like MRF constantly at work to keep the channels open for students of all backgrounds, hard work though it of course is. But also so enjoyable to see and hear a concert such as (this) and sense all the activity behind it. Bravo to all who were involved - I’m looking forward to the next chapter!
From the parent of an award-holder...
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything you've done for the MRF award.
My son had the most incredible experience and the concert last night will be treasured in all of our memories. Please pass on the biggest thanks to everyone involved - especially to Cameron Sinclair who played all of the pieces with such care and passion.
It feels unbelievable that my son had his first percussion composition performed by such a renowned musician, in such an amazing venue! He feels incredibly privileged to have been given such an opportunity.
Festival 2023:
Festival programme '23
The venue for this Special Festival was held at St Lawrence Church, Alton,
and featured:
Joseph Spooner - cello,
David Gibson - conductor
The Festival theme was war and our 4 award-holders selected for 2023 rose to the challenge of writing for solo cello, reflecting aspects of war.
For FILMS from this amazing event, click the photos, with thanks to Steve Kirkby.
Supported by:
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L-R back - Simon Speare, Freddie Hodkin,
Beccy Read, Ali Willis, Alex Ling - trustees;
front - William Dear, Josh Clark,
Joe Jolliffe, Felix Sladen-Jewel - award-holders '23.
MRF alumni Freddie Hodkin & Samby Anderson, produced new pieces for unaccompanied choir and for flexible ensemble.
We also marked Martin Read, 10 years on, with a fine performance of his his Civil War cantata: The Death of Colonel Boles joined by Paul Sheehan - baritone, & Carl Clausen - drum.
A huge 'thank you' for a truly amazing evening...
It was so uplifting to see the results of the work the MRF has done in nurturing and encouraging the youngsters to produce such wonderful and mature compositions. What a fantastic experience they have all had! Also, to know that past recipients are continuing to compose and are able to have their compositions performed, which is so important.
Audience member.
I wanted to pass on our thanks to you and the MRF. Without this competition, Josh wouldn’t have heard of, let alone got into, the Royal College of Music Junior Department for next year. The MRF is clearly fulfilling its aim of helping inspire new composers!
Award-holder's parent.
...thank you for the opportunity to work with professional musicians and composers for the festival...
Award-holder.
Festival 2022:
Ella, MRF award-holder '22, says:
I compose because there is no other feeling like it.
Thrilled to have resumed in-person!
Martin Read Hall, Alton College, 1st May
The day was packed with new music and premieres - a mix of live, on-line and pre-recorded music,
including:
music for flexible ensemble by Ellen Drewe - Alton College & MRF alumnus;
music for choral singing by Alison Willis, Simon Speare, Alan Bullard and Howard Skempton.
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Ella Laughton, Naomi Dragomir and Daniel Jurado-Hoshino - MRF’s 2022 young composer award-holders premiered their music for the film animation ‘Spring’.
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Performers and audience alike were complimentary:
Small yet perfectly formed…
really enjoyed the music-making…
fantastically talented young people…
the chance to work with such great musicians… hearing the work of the young composers…
all seemed brilliantly thought through.
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Click the photo for
Festival film
Thanks to Steve Kirby
Festival 2021:
Events resumed, on-line
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New Short pieces on the concept of
DISTANCE
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Sam Bullard - saxes, Ben Corrigan - electronics,
MRF award-holders,
MRF alumni composer-performers
Festival day Concert of Premieres
with
'Returning, we hear the Larks'
new work by
MRF composer-mentor.
Festival 2019:
New Music by established and emerging composers: Steve Reich, Gustav Holst, Kurt Weill, Martin Read, Alison Willis, Simon Speare, Alex Ling, Freddie Hodkin, Owen Russell, Scottie Thompson, Pernille Faye, Jack Robinson, Domenico Ragozzino, Alastair Rook.
Performers: Commotio –leading performers of contemporary choral music, David Gibson, Joe Parks, Daniel Swani, Joseph Spooner, ensembles from Alton College.
masterclass composition workshop
‘…always massively inspiring, educational and life-affirming’
Sam Christie,
MRF Festival choir.
Festival 2018:
Song Recital
Philip Smith - baritone and
Nicholas Bosworth - piano
giving premieres of commissions by
MRF awarded composers of 2018.
Composers & performers worked together, in an intriguing masterclass-style workshop led by MRF patron Howard Skempton who declared Martin Read Foundation's support for young composers:
unique within the UK
'The Martin Read Foundation is doing a wonderful job of nurturing emerging talent, offering fledgling composers an established figure as a mentor, and providing high-level public performances. It was inspiring to see such gifted young writers bringing fresh ideas to develop and extend the traditions of English song.'
Jonathan Dove
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Repeat recital at
The Grange, Northington:
Festival 2017:
Festival 2016:
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One of Martin's Mary Rose Songs, performed by Festival '16 choir and orchestra, with audience, directed by David Gibson.
Foundation selected composer 2016, String Quartet, performed by London-based Ernst Quartet.