Nathan shortlisted to represent Wales at the ISCM World Music Days 2021

Tŷ Cerdd announces the composers and works selected by the Welsh Section of the ISCM (International Society for Contemporary Music) to represent Wales at ISCM World New Music Days 2021, taking place in Shanghai and Nanning in September this year.

The Wales panel selected a shortlist of six composers’ works/proposals as the official submission to the international jury:

• Ashley John Long (Beyond the Haze of Winter's Edge; Chamber Group category)
• Claire Victoria Roberts (Elasticity; String Quartet category)
• Julia Plaut (Seven Ways of Looking at Birds; Orchestral category)
• Gareth Churchill (Four; String Quartet category)
• Nathan James Dearden (Morals + Interludes; Choral category)
• Niamh O'Donnell (FM/AM; Electronic / Fixed Media category)

At least one of the six works included in our national submission will be performed during the festival (the international jury can, however, select more than one of these works).

27 submissions were received from Welsh and Wales-based composers, across 8 categories. The announcement of the works selected for performance across the ten-day event is expected in the summer. World New Music Days 2021 will provide an important platform for the selected composer, and a key opportunity for the profile of Wales, its composers and new music scene.

The jury was struck by the number and quality of the submissions and by the stylistic range, which provided a striking insight into the range of work being written in Wales, as well as further afield by Welsh composers.​

ISCM Welsh Section

ISCM Welsh exists to promote the aims of the ISCM, both within Wales, and in co-operation with the British, Irish, Scottish and other, international Sections. The Society aims to promote contemporary music and raise its public profile, through effective global networking, communication and facilitation of multilateral activities between the members.

Its mission is to:

• Raise the profile of contemporary music through the collective strength of the Society’s global network and  membership makeup.

• Pursue exposure, research and performance of contemporary music through initiatives by its membership, as well as collaboration with affiliated bodies.

• Showcase the diversity of contemporary music worldwide through the World New Music Days Festival.