University of Aberdeen composers recently swept the Cantus Ensemble's composition competition, with PhD student composers Sarah Rimkus taking first prize and Alison Willis winning the vote for audience favourite.
Composers from across the country submitted settings of the Magnificat to be performed alongside Arvo Pärt's Nunc Dimittis by the skilled young London-based chamber choir, directed by Dominic Brennan. Sarah and Alison were chosen out of a group of four finalists, whose compositions were performed at St. Gabriel's, Warwick Square on Saturday 8 July in front of a substantial audience and distinguished panel of judges.
This comes on the heels of many competitive successes for University of Aberdeen composers, including PhD student Mike Merrill's work for concert band 'Glacier Peaks' winning James Madison University's New Music for Young Musicians competition, and senior lecturer Dr Phillip Cooke winning the tenth annual anthem competition of the First Baptist Church of Worcester, MA USA.