The Surrey Hills International Music Festival (SHIMF) has announced the prizewinners of the 2024 Young Composer Competition.
To mark the Festival's 15th season, composers aged 18 and under were invited to submit works for piano (solo or four hands, and between 2.5 and 5 minutes long) on the theme of ‘Celebration’.
Borimir Ivanov, 16, from Tiffin School (Kingston upon Thames), was awarded first prize for his piano duo Festival of the Hills, described by the competition jury as ‘lively, joyful, and rhythmically exciting’. The second prizewinner was Jamaal Kashim, 16, homeschooled and attendee of the Royal College of Music Junior Department, and the third prizewinner was Oscar Trott, 17, a student at Royal Grammar School, Guildford. All three prizewinners submitted piano duos.
Entries were assessed anonymously by the SHIMF judges, which included pianist and SHIMF artistic director Wu Qian, composer Huw Watkins, head of composition at the University of Surrey Steven Goss, and violinist and composer Natalie Klouda.
First prizewinner Ivanov, who was a runner-up in the 2022 competition, said: ‘I am very happy to have been selected and am particularly excited to hear my piece performed live by the wonderful Wu Qian and Juho Pohjohen.’
The premiere be given by the pianists on 16 May, as part of SHIMF’s yearly May festival fortnight.
SHIMF artistic director Wu Qian commented: ‘I've been thrilled by the incredible response to this year's Composition Competition and want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the talented young composers who poured their creativity into their entries. It's been an absolute joy to witness such a vibrant display of musical talent. We were impressed by Borimir's inventive and exuberant piece for piano duo. His work seamlessly intertwines music, landscape, and the spirit of celebration.’
The Competition launched in 2022 as part of SHIMF’s celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Ralph Vaughan Williams, with whom the county has strong links.
