COMMISSIONS
We work to provide further opportunities for NCEM Composers alumni, often in the form of commissions. Please keep an eye on this section of the website for future updates.
PREVIOUS COMMISSIONS
2026: Fanfare Commission
Written to celebrate the 50th edition of the York Early Music Festival, the Fanfare Commission invited alumni of the NCEM Young Composer Award Alumni to apply to write a special piece for the 2026 York Early Music Festival’s Ensemble in Residence - the historic wind band [hanse] Pfeyfferey - to be played as a fanfare to open the 50th edition of the Festival.
'Flourish at 50' has been written by Wakefield born composer Sam Meredith following a selection by the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) and [hanse] Pfeyfferey.
Sam Meredith’s aim in writing 'Flourish at 50' was to find a balance between the “traditional, idiomatic capabilities” of the historic instruments of a Renaissance wind band, whilst experimenting with sounds in order to “powerfully communicate a fanfare in a 21st century context.” It is a piece which celebrates both the special year for the Festival and also the skills of the award-winning Renaissance wind band [hanse] Pfeyfferey. With the support of The Marchus Trust.
2025: Heaven and Hell
Previous finalists of the NCEM Young Composers Award were invited to propose a commission for mezzo soprano Helen Charlston and theorbo player Toby Carr.
The new piece was designed to evoke the musicians' journey across the afterlife exploring both the sacred and secular, meeting paradise and hell in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.
Anna Disley-Simpson was selected with her piece Purgatory: A Waiting Room, composed to a new libretto by Olivia Bell. The premiere was held at the Merchant Adventurer's Hall on 9 July 2025, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. With the support of The Hinrichsen Foundation.
2023: William Byrd at 400
All former finalists of the NCEM Young Composers Award were invited to apply for this exciting opportunity to create a new commission for The Marian Consort and the Rose Consort of Viols. The new piece, for voices and viols, was to be based around the life and work of one of England’s most revered composers, William Byrd, in response to the 400th anniversary of his death in 1623.
The commission was awarded to Juta Pranulyte, a finalist in 2015, to create here piece Lullaby, based on William Byrd’s poem Lulla, lullaby. Juta received a commission fee of £1,800, and travel and accommodation expenses to attend a workshop with the Rose Consort of Viols in London, and the first performance in York.
The premiere of Lullaby took place on 11 July 2023 as part of York Early Music Festival, in a programme of Byrd’s music presented by The Marian Consort and the Rose Consort of Viols.
2023: International Women’s Day
BBC Radio 3 commissioned alumni Sarah Cattley, winner of the 2019 award (19-25 category) to write a piece for New Generation Baroque Ensemble group Ensemble Molière for International Women’s Day 2023. Sarah’s piece Rossignolet was premiered on 8 March as part of BBC Radio 3’s Lunchtime Concert ‘Femmes d’excellence’.
2020: Trumpet Marine
Former finalists of the award were invited to apply for a commission by the NCEM in partnership with the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments, to create a new piece for the spectacular and forgotten instrument, the Trumpet Marine.
The commission was awarded to Liam Connery, a finalist in 2019, for his piece Janya. The premiere took place as part of the launch of the Trumpet Marine Project on 9 July 2020 at York Early Music Festival in a concert given by the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments which was recorded for broadcast by BBC Radio 3. You can listen to Liam’s piece here.
