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 | Yorkshire Times Weekend Edition |
1:00 AM 19th February 2024
arts
Naomi Scoops Prestigious Unibrass Music Composition Prize
Naomi ill
Photo: Huddersfield University
This new work for brass band by Naomi, Calling, recently won the UniBrass Composition Competition. She will see it premiered by Foden’s, one of the country’s leading brass bands, at the Unibrass Gala Concert in February.
The University of Huddersfield brass band will also be competing in the trophy section of the UniBrass Inter-University Brass Band Entertainment Contest. They will present an entertainment programme, which will also feature a composition by Naomi, written specially for the event.
Naomi and the University brass band be present for the premiere of Calling at the evening gala concert following their own performance. The piece will also be published by Wright and Round, one of the longest established and most respected publishers of brass band music.
Naomi said:
"I was delighted to receive this most unexpected news. Calling was such a joy to write and work on, and I'm humbled that it has been chosen as the winner of this exciting new composition competition.”
"I was delighted to receive this most unexpected news. Calling was such a joy to write and work on, and I'm humbled that it has been chosen as the winner of this exciting new composition competition.”
Naomi is studying for her MMus in Music Performance on the euphonium, and is continuing composition alongside her postgraduate performance studies. Growing up in a Salvation Army Church and an area steeped in brass bands and their traditions, her brass playing began from a young age. The University music department’s place within brass band traditions has greatly contributed to Naomi’s success during her undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Naomi added:
“It is a tight-knit music department, and the opportunities it has given me throughout undergraduate and now at postgraduate level have been very influential in my musical development.
“It has a rich heritage of brass band music and studies, but it has also given me new avenues aside from brass bands which has developed my musicianship.”
“It is a tight-knit music department, and the opportunities it has given me throughout undergraduate and now at postgraduate level have been very influential in my musical development.
“It has a rich heritage of brass band music and studies, but it has also given me new avenues aside from brass bands which has developed my musicianship.”
Liz Lane, one of the judges of the UniBrass Composition Competition and also Composer in Association with Grimethorpe Colliery Band, said:
"Calling particularly stood out for its overall understanding of the brass band medium, its interesting use of harmony and confident handling of musical material along with compelling solos and effects. I look forward to working together and hearing it performed."
"Calling particularly stood out for its overall understanding of the brass band medium, its interesting use of harmony and confident handling of musical material along with compelling solos and effects. I look forward to working together and hearing it performed."
Stewart Worthy, Subject Leader for Music and Music Technology, added:
“We have a long tradition at Huddersfield of our students participating as a band in UniBrass so it was great to learn that Naomi, who has also performed in the band many times on euphonium, has also been successful in the composition category.
“She has also had her compositions played at public concerts by the University Brass Band, most recently at Huddersfield and Dewsbury town halls. Naomi is an excellent ambassador for our institution - we are really proud of her success and progress since arriving in first year to what she is achieving now at Masters level.”
“We have a long tradition at Huddersfield of our students participating as a band in UniBrass so it was great to learn that Naomi, who has also performed in the band many times on euphonium, has also been successful in the composition category.
“She has also had her compositions played at public concerts by the University Brass Band, most recently at Huddersfield and Dewsbury town halls. Naomi is an excellent ambassador for our institution - we are really proud of her success and progress since arriving in first year to what she is achieving now at Masters level.”