Congratulations, Cardiff

I've just returned from Cardiff, where my Oboe Concerto was the set work at this year's Crowther's of Canterbury Oboe Prize, competed for by oboists from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The original dedicatee, Celia Craig, all the way from Adelaide, Australia, was on hand to lead a woodwind residency; and we worked out that during the Concerto's 2018 UK premiere (by the BBCNOW orchestra) RWCMD's Head of Woodwind, Robert Plane, had been playing the Concerto's prominent clarinet part, with Celia of course as the oboe soloist.

Listening to the substantial first movement of my Concerto played by six fine soloists, one after another, was probably one of the most profound composition lessons I can recall having. There was so much to ponder about structure, tempi, and what sounded right or wrong with the piece itself - only to have my conclusions reversed by the next performance. Celia and I opted to award the Crowther's Prize to Imi Oldham; but every player had gone seriously into the not-easy task of learning a new and unfamiliar score.

PICTURED - in fabulous sunny weather (eh?) RWCMD's beautiful building was the place to be, bordered by lovely Bute Park. Honestly, which other music college has a "Canteen" with a view like this?