NCEM Young Composers Award 2026

The order of performance is as follows: O come sei gentile Claudio Monteverdi from Concerto: settimo libro de madrigali 1567-1643 (Venice, 1619) In this STRANGE labyrinth how shall I turn??? Ernest Chui b. 2008 In this strange labyrinth how shall I turn? Sequoia Ralph b. 2003 In this strange labyrinth Ben Hadland b. 2007 My troubled sense doth move Edward Tait b. 2006 Labyrinth Kat Farn b. 2004 In this Strange Labyrinth How Shall I turn Laura Kesiak b. 2010 How Shall I Turn? Heath Thompson b. 2007 In this strange labyrinth how shall I turn? Alma Nunez Debretzeni b. 2009 Zefiro torna Claudio Monteverdi from Scherzi musicali (Venice, 1632) The annual NCEM Young Composers Award was launched in 2008 and is the only such scheme in the UK. It offers a unique opportunity for young composers to engage with the instruments and performance styles of early music, and to work with leading professional early musicians. In bridging the worlds of ‘early’ and ‘new’ music, the Award complements the NCEM’s education policy, to support and nurture young composers and demonstrate to all participants that the music of previous centuries is relevant to today’s creative endeavours. This year the National Centre for Early Music is working with The Gonzaga Band. The winning pieces will be premiered by The Gonzaga Band in a public performance as part of the Birmingham Royal Conservatoire’s lunchtime concert series on Tuesday 27 October 2026. This concert will be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show. The following composers have been selected as finalists for the Award 18 years and under - Ben Hadland Laura Kesiak Ernest Chui Alma Nunez Debretzeni Heath Thompson 19–25 years - Kat Farn Edward Tait Sequoia Ralph