Calum Huggan is set to release ‘American Music for Marimba’ at the end of August on the Delphian label.

Well-known as a leading exponent of new music, award-winning Scottish percussionist Calum Huggan has captivated audiences and critics alike with his musicality and personality.

Through a programme of contemporary repertoire by living composers, his first solo album showcases his affinity with the marimba and explores its full spectrum of expressive colours.

American Music for Marimba includes two premiere recordings of works by Michael Burritt and Ivan Trevino, alongside modern classics including Eric Ewazen’s Northern Lights and Emmanuel Séjourné’s Nancy.

On the upcoming release, Calum comments –

“With this album it has been most important to me share music that makes percussion and marimba as accessible and engaging to an audience as possible. Performing music by living composers, who write with strong and relatable narratives, plays a significant part in my repertoire choices and influences my musical storytelling through the instrument.”

Calum is a Four Mallet Specialist at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. He also holds teaching positions at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Taught by international marimbists Jasmin Kolberg and Eric Sammut, Calum won his first BBC solo broadcast at the age of 18. He has gone on to perform solo and concerto debuts within the major concert houses across the UK, Europe and in the United Arab Emirates. He has also worked alongside some of the most recognised and talented creatives in the arts, co-creating, recording and performing in spectacular spaces across the globe.

A Yamaha Artist and Acoustic Percussion Signature Artist, Calum’s mission is to make percussion as accessible as possible, be a voice for LGBTQ+ musicians and introduce audiences to the truly fascinating and magical world that is percussion.

American Music for Marimba will be available on Delphian from 27 August 2021.

To learn more about the Wind, Brass and Percussion Department, visit our study pages.

Postgraduate pianist claims top Prize with electrifying Shostakovich concerto.

The 2021 Soloists’ Competition saw pianist Bo Lyu, violinist Camille Buitenhuis and pianist Jinah Shim compete in an outstanding final at Blackheath Halls for the chance to perform with Trinity Laban’s Shapeshifter Orchestra.

This year, the competition was adjudicated by Assistant Director of Music and Head of Programmes David Bahanovich, celebrated Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu and leading violinist Nathaniel Anderson-Frank, who praised the high standard of all three competitors.

After an incredibly close competition, the expert panel crowned Bo Lyu the winner for his engaging and masterful performance of Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor Op 35 accompanied by Yuchong Wu. Watch in full on TL YouTube.

Alexandra Dariescu comments –

“It was a joy being part of this panel and listening to such talented students. I was incredibly impressed by their technical brilliance and musical understanding. With explosive dynamics and precise articulation, Bo impressed through his vision of the concerto, assurance and utter commitment.”

David Bahanovich comments –

“During these extraordinary times, the opportunity to hear live music performed by such outstanding young artists was a genuine treat and one sensed that they cherished the chance to share their music making with others. Each of the three soloists demonstrated exceptional interpretive insight, skill, and flair.

On winning, Bo comments –

“I am very glad to have been chosen as the winner of the 2021 competition. I enjoyed playing Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor. This piece has always inspired me the power of music, and it is lovely to share the music with the audience and jury in this difficult time. I am looking forward to performing this great music with Trinity Laban’s Shapeshifter Orchestra.”

Bo is currently studying his Postgraduate Advanced Diploma at Trinity Laban with Sergio De Simone and Martino Tirimo. His studies are generously supported by the Trinity College London Scholarship, the Leverhulme Trust Scholarship, the GREAT China Scholarship, the Helen Roll Trust Scholarship, Help Musicians UK, the Sterndale Bennett Scholarship, Pisani Scholarship and Derek Butler London trusts and foundation. Bo is also an Artist in Mousikos Classical Company.

Since winning first prize at the Norah Sande Award Piano Competition in 2018, Bo has gone on to claim several Top prizes in numerous competitions including Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition in Wigmore Hall and Windsor International Piano Competition. Recent performances include a Solo recital in the Oundle International Music Festival, Benjamin Britten Young Apollo, Op.16 with the Dartington Festival Orchestra and Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No.2 with St John’s Chamber Orchestra at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead.

Find out more about Trinity Laban’s Keyboard Department.

Daryl Runswick Digital 2021

In a competition adjudicated by Stephen Fry, seven composers presented musical works inspired by social distance: these include responses to empty London architecture, the loss of a parent and the politics of wealth.

Following the success of last year’s online version, Trinity Laban’s annual Daryl Runswick Competition went virtual once again for 2021. The Head of Composition Dominic Murcott presented an exclusive online event celebrating brand-new pieces from finalists within the department.

The 2021 final, broadcast on Trinity Laban’s YouTube on Friday 21 May, hosted premieres from students Georgia Barnes, Martha Clayton, Nathen Durasamy, Emily De Gruchy, Franklyn Oliver, Leo Holder and Matthis Meyer and highlighted the diversity and creativity of our composition community.

This year, entrants were tasked with composing a new work for a 16-piece socially distanced chamber ensemble, combining the traditional challenges of orchestral writing with the added complexities of creating ensemble work during a pandemic.

Head of Composition Dominic Murcott comments –

“We usually like to hold the competition final in an unconventional venue – such as the Brunel Museum or National Portrait Gallery – but this year, Covid restrictions provided its own challenge, prompting many of the finalists to explore distance and space in their works.”

Building on the department’s established tradition of inviting guest artists from outside the musical sphere – such as philosophers, politicians, comedians, chefs and Turner Prize-winning artists – to lead workshops with students, this year’s adjudicator was none other than Stephen Fry.

Introducing the guest, Dominic Murcott explains –

“We thought it would be interesting if chose an adjudicator who represents the view of the audience, someone who can act as informed listener.”

On being invited to adjudicate, the English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, writer and lover of music comments –

“Delighted to be asked to judge such a prestigious competition. It’s a marvellous thing to feel part of something that promotes, rewards, encourages and celebrates young musical talent.”

Stephen praised the seven finalists’ work, commending their musical understanding and orchestration skills, before naming Nathen Durasamy the overall winner for Enantiodromia: in loving memory of Dad.

The work conveys the experience of an anxiety attack, informed by the writings of Carl Jung, and is a homage to Nathen’s father who died in May 2020. Stephen described the composition as having intelligence and made from wonderful textures and colour.

Nathen, who is studying his Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in composition, comments –

“What an honour to have won. I am delighted! Studying composition and orchestration at Trinity Laban has been a remarkable experience. I’ve always wanted to write for a small orchestra and I’m so pleased that I got the opportunity to do so.

“Getting our pieces recorded by the fantastic players led by Gregory Rose has been an honour and a privilege. To then be involved with such an encouraging masterclass and competition is wonderful. Thank you to all involved in making this competition a reality.”

Dominic Murcott reflects –

“The Daryl Runswick Competition is one of the Conservatoire’s many platforms for students to showcase new works. It is central to our ethos that students learn by doing, which is why creating stimulating composition opportunities like this is so important. Core to our training is fostering the space for students to artistically explore their interests and musical styles from any genre, from poetry to Grime to video games, whilst underpinning that experimentation with contemporary classical techniques and orchestration skills.”

Watch the online event to hear Stephen’s detailed responses to the finalists’ works and listen to pieces in full on our YouTube.

–

Learn more about Composition at Trinity Laban.