Composition Postgrad in Amsterdam
Donation protected
Updated 5th December 2017
Hello!
I have recently begun a two year Masters in Composition degree at the world leading Conservatorium van Amsterdam, beginning in September.
Composition is an area of music that I have been interested in from an early age. I like creating new and original music to my tastes, but it makes me even happier when other people enjoy my music too, which is often the case because of its accessibility. I enjoy hearing my music rehearsed and performed, as well as being involved with this process, be that on the side lines, as the musical director, as part of the ensemble, or as the organiser of the event.
My journey so far
Following success in the 2013 BBC Inspire Young Composers’ Competition, I began studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and I have recently completed a Bachelor of Music (Hons) Composition degree under the tutelage of Professor Rory Boyle. Prior to this, I attended Chetham’s School of Music and was awarded the Douglas Steele Award for Composition.
My “joyfully exuberant” (Anna Meredith) ‘Recomposed Baroque ’ was performed by members of the Aurora Orchestra at the BBC Proms and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 2013. Subsequently ‘Cairo ’ was commissioned for members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. More recent projects have included a work to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday on behalf of the Holme Valley Parish Council , earlier this year 'Lux ' was rehearsed and recorded by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and my music was used as part of the TOTAL BWF Badminton World Championships and Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix. In February 2016 musicians joined together to perform in 'The Music of Thomas Brown'.
Conducting is another passion of mine; I enjoy directing my own works as well as others. Further to organising the event, this year I directed much of the work in a composers' orchestral workshop at the RCS. I also play trumpet, cornet, piano, and have appeared as a percussionist with the Kirkintilloch Brass Band.
My compositional interests
Whilst nearly all of my work is instrumental/ vocal concert music, I am interested in experiencing working on projects containing something extra, e.g. an element of theatre or with an element of collaboration. I am also not opposed to including an electroacoustic element to some of my future work, a medium of composition that I have a small amount of experience working in.
Looking more in depth, it is difficult to pigeon hole my work, especially as it can be quite varied. Whilst maintaining artistic integrity, some of the music I have written for events is less original than what I would usually write, which although ‘has more bite’ still strives to be “accessible”. As I am interested in a wide range of classical music written over the last few hundred years, I have also enjoyed working on assignments where I have written pastiche work in languages typical of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, which has helped me to become more competent when working in one of my areas of interest: polystylism. Writing in this genre involves using alien music (from another time or geographical place) and using that in a contemporary western art way. This may involve juxtaposing pastiche bits of writing or quotes with something more contemporary, recomposing something (rewriting it in a more modern way), or alluding to an alien style. Alfred Schnittke, who's work I am a fan of, is the first composer who comes to many people's minds when they think of polystylism. Whilst I have written a number of works which I would describe as polystylistic and I plan to explore the area further, this will form only part of my future work.
But why more education and why the CvA?
Continuing my composition studies and undertaking a masters degree at the CvA is enabling me to gain extra guidance and time studying composition, which will be of huge benefit to me in achieving my goal to become a successful composer. Furthermore, I wish to experience the culture of The Netherlands and I feel that, as a composer, I fit in well to the musical scene here.
The CvA is providing me with the guidance to further identify my personal voice – which is what I feel is needed at this stage, as opposed to experimenting with many contrasting genres – and the lack of prescriptiveness gives me the opportunity to write whatever I (in conjunction with my tutors) wish. This enables me to take on external commissions, therefore building my career, which I see as very important whilst in education. Furthermore, the department provides many exciting performance opportunities and encourages and offers me the platform to continue to organise my own performances and events in collaboration with the enthusiastic performers of the institution. In Novemeber my piece ‘Little Fascination’ for violin and piano was performed and there are performances of my work planned for the future.
Another aspect that has played a major role in my decision making has been the institution's facilities, as I enjoy attending conservatoire daily, sketching my ideas shorthand on manuscript paper whilst at the piano, before notating my music on the computer.
Whilst deciding where to apply, the teachers I requested to study with drew me to Amsterdam. I receive tuition from two well-known composers – Richard Ayres and Willem Jeths – who have worked with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and Royal Concertgebouw. I feel that there are similarities between Willem’s music and mine and I believe he may be able to push me gently from my comfort zone. I was interested in studying with Richard as I enjoy the warped tonality in his music – in a way similar to polystylism – and the bite and energy it has. I am enjoying my lessons so far and feel I am learning a lot from them.
Why am I asking for your cash?
Whilst my parents are able to give me a small amount of money and I have been able to save an even smaller amount from my undergraduate studies, I planned to fund the rest though obtaining grants from charities and trusts, although after hours of trawling through numerous directories and writing letters, I hadn't been able to raise a single penny until November. Furthermore, unfortunately the CvA does not offer scholarships and whilst I am already £58,000 in debt from my undergraduate degree therefore didn’t want to have the burden of paying back an additional loan, as I will be studying outside of the UK I am ineligible for the postgraduate loans which the government have recently made available to English students. On the other hand, I have applied for a loan from the Dutch government for my tuition fees, totaling €2,006 for the forthcoming academic year, although this could change for the year 2018/19.
Whilst I have no current employment, I am actively seeking work, although my lack of knowledge of the Dutch language hinders me. Therefore between this possibility, an attempt to begin to build my career whilst studying, re-applying to all the charities and trusts I’m eligible for, and though your kindness, I hope to raise at least enough money to be able to complete my studies, if not to also make me less reliant on my wonderful parents and to not have the burden of two loans to pay back. I am currently short of approximately £3600, although the whole two years will cost approximately £21,000.
What will you get in return?
I will be extremely grateful for any donation you are able to make and would like to give something back. I propose the following:
£5 – £24
You will have VIP access to a private YouTube channel, where I will upload samples of works in progress and recordings of works before they are available to the general public. I may also discuss my work here and there may be access to recordings that are unavailable to the public.
£25 – £49
I will dedicate a piece of music to you along with other donors and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
£50 – £99
I will dedicate a section or movement of a piece to you, for which you will receive a score and recording (where available), and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
£100 – £999
I will dedicate a piece to you, for which you will receive a score and recording (where available), and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
£1000+
I will write a short solo, duo, or small ensemble work for you where you may make some specific requests such as instrumentation and possibly character and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
Hello!
I have recently begun a two year Masters in Composition degree at the world leading Conservatorium van Amsterdam, beginning in September.
Composition is an area of music that I have been interested in from an early age. I like creating new and original music to my tastes, but it makes me even happier when other people enjoy my music too, which is often the case because of its accessibility. I enjoy hearing my music rehearsed and performed, as well as being involved with this process, be that on the side lines, as the musical director, as part of the ensemble, or as the organiser of the event.
My journey so far
Following success in the 2013 BBC Inspire Young Composers’ Competition, I began studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and I have recently completed a Bachelor of Music (Hons) Composition degree under the tutelage of Professor Rory Boyle. Prior to this, I attended Chetham’s School of Music and was awarded the Douglas Steele Award for Composition.
My “joyfully exuberant” (Anna Meredith) ‘Recomposed Baroque ’ was performed by members of the Aurora Orchestra at the BBC Proms and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 2013. Subsequently ‘Cairo ’ was commissioned for members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. More recent projects have included a work to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday on behalf of the Holme Valley Parish Council , earlier this year 'Lux ' was rehearsed and recorded by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and my music was used as part of the TOTAL BWF Badminton World Championships and Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix. In February 2016 musicians joined together to perform in 'The Music of Thomas Brown'.
Conducting is another passion of mine; I enjoy directing my own works as well as others. Further to organising the event, this year I directed much of the work in a composers' orchestral workshop at the RCS. I also play trumpet, cornet, piano, and have appeared as a percussionist with the Kirkintilloch Brass Band.
My compositional interests
Whilst nearly all of my work is instrumental/ vocal concert music, I am interested in experiencing working on projects containing something extra, e.g. an element of theatre or with an element of collaboration. I am also not opposed to including an electroacoustic element to some of my future work, a medium of composition that I have a small amount of experience working in.
Looking more in depth, it is difficult to pigeon hole my work, especially as it can be quite varied. Whilst maintaining artistic integrity, some of the music I have written for events is less original than what I would usually write, which although ‘has more bite’ still strives to be “accessible”. As I am interested in a wide range of classical music written over the last few hundred years, I have also enjoyed working on assignments where I have written pastiche work in languages typical of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, which has helped me to become more competent when working in one of my areas of interest: polystylism. Writing in this genre involves using alien music (from another time or geographical place) and using that in a contemporary western art way. This may involve juxtaposing pastiche bits of writing or quotes with something more contemporary, recomposing something (rewriting it in a more modern way), or alluding to an alien style. Alfred Schnittke, who's work I am a fan of, is the first composer who comes to many people's minds when they think of polystylism. Whilst I have written a number of works which I would describe as polystylistic and I plan to explore the area further, this will form only part of my future work.
But why more education and why the CvA?
Continuing my composition studies and undertaking a masters degree at the CvA is enabling me to gain extra guidance and time studying composition, which will be of huge benefit to me in achieving my goal to become a successful composer. Furthermore, I wish to experience the culture of The Netherlands and I feel that, as a composer, I fit in well to the musical scene here.
The CvA is providing me with the guidance to further identify my personal voice – which is what I feel is needed at this stage, as opposed to experimenting with many contrasting genres – and the lack of prescriptiveness gives me the opportunity to write whatever I (in conjunction with my tutors) wish. This enables me to take on external commissions, therefore building my career, which I see as very important whilst in education. Furthermore, the department provides many exciting performance opportunities and encourages and offers me the platform to continue to organise my own performances and events in collaboration with the enthusiastic performers of the institution. In Novemeber my piece ‘Little Fascination’ for violin and piano was performed and there are performances of my work planned for the future.
Another aspect that has played a major role in my decision making has been the institution's facilities, as I enjoy attending conservatoire daily, sketching my ideas shorthand on manuscript paper whilst at the piano, before notating my music on the computer.
Whilst deciding where to apply, the teachers I requested to study with drew me to Amsterdam. I receive tuition from two well-known composers – Richard Ayres and Willem Jeths – who have worked with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and Royal Concertgebouw. I feel that there are similarities between Willem’s music and mine and I believe he may be able to push me gently from my comfort zone. I was interested in studying with Richard as I enjoy the warped tonality in his music – in a way similar to polystylism – and the bite and energy it has. I am enjoying my lessons so far and feel I am learning a lot from them.
Why am I asking for your cash?
Whilst my parents are able to give me a small amount of money and I have been able to save an even smaller amount from my undergraduate studies, I planned to fund the rest though obtaining grants from charities and trusts, although after hours of trawling through numerous directories and writing letters, I hadn't been able to raise a single penny until November. Furthermore, unfortunately the CvA does not offer scholarships and whilst I am already £58,000 in debt from my undergraduate degree therefore didn’t want to have the burden of paying back an additional loan, as I will be studying outside of the UK I am ineligible for the postgraduate loans which the government have recently made available to English students. On the other hand, I have applied for a loan from the Dutch government for my tuition fees, totaling €2,006 for the forthcoming academic year, although this could change for the year 2018/19.
Whilst I have no current employment, I am actively seeking work, although my lack of knowledge of the Dutch language hinders me. Therefore between this possibility, an attempt to begin to build my career whilst studying, re-applying to all the charities and trusts I’m eligible for, and though your kindness, I hope to raise at least enough money to be able to complete my studies, if not to also make me less reliant on my wonderful parents and to not have the burden of two loans to pay back. I am currently short of approximately £3600, although the whole two years will cost approximately £21,000.
What will you get in return?
I will be extremely grateful for any donation you are able to make and would like to give something back. I propose the following:
£5 – £24
You will have VIP access to a private YouTube channel, where I will upload samples of works in progress and recordings of works before they are available to the general public. I may also discuss my work here and there may be access to recordings that are unavailable to the public.
£25 – £49
I will dedicate a piece of music to you along with other donors and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
£50 – £99
I will dedicate a section or movement of a piece to you, for which you will receive a score and recording (where available), and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
£100 – £999
I will dedicate a piece to you, for which you will receive a score and recording (where available), and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
£1000+
I will write a short solo, duo, or small ensemble work for you where you may make some specific requests such as instrumentation and possibly character and you will have access to a private YouTube channel.
Organizer
Thomas Brown
Organizer
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