ANDREW
DOWNES PERFORMANCE PRIZE
A new international music competition launches at the
Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, King Edward’s School, Edgbaston on September
22.
The Andrew Downes Performance Prize, bringing £1000 to the
winner, is designed to perpetuate the memory of this well-loved Midlands
composer who died in January 2023. Downes’ music is performed worldwide, and
this competition specifies that entrants, whether soloists or chamber
ensembles, learn and play one of his compositions in the Final.
Anna Downes, Andrew’s daughter, tells me how the competition was born.
“Originally, the prize was put in place when Dad won compensation for
medical negligence which left him in a wheelchair. As Dad could no longer
travel to promote his music, part of the compensation was so that he could find
alternative means of ensuring his legacy.
“With the excellent support of David Saint at Royal Birmingham
Conservatoire (where Dad had been Head of Creative Studies for 30 years), the
Andrew Downes Performance Prize was set up and ran for a decade. Dad wanted
students to be aware of his compositional output going forward.
“For a variety of reasons, the number of entrants dropped following
COVID and after Dad died, I felt it was time to make some changes. As it was
restricted to Conservatoire students only, I was limited on how much I could
extend and maximise its profile.
“After Dad's passing, we decided as a family to establish a series of
awards. There are now prizes running at the Royal College of Music - 'The
Andrew Downes Award : awarded to the finalist with the highest mark for
composition portfolio' and at Cambridge University for 'Outstanding
Composition' - the places where he studied in his formative years. I wanted to
take the performance aspect and widen the net, attracting national and
international entrants. This music is greatly accessible for those entering the
profession and wanting to widen their repertoire but it needs to be
heard.
“The competition final is still based in Birmingham which is crucial,
but this time it will be held at Ruddock Performing Arts Centre at King
Edward's school. The competition is open to any outstanding soloist or chamber
ensemble who learns and performs a work by Andrew Downes. All of Dad's works
are available on his website to purchase as a digital download and are
available to listen to via his website as well thanks to the hard work of
Cynthia (my Mum) and Paula, my sister.”
In addition to the £1000 prize, there are opportunities for all
participants, including feedback from the adjudicators, each with 30 years of
experience – Simon Chalk (conductor), Duncan Honeybourne (pianist), Chris Orton
(recorders) and myself, the opportunity to expand their repertoire with modern
classical music which is accessible and audience friendly, and the winner will
get recital opportunities locally in my concert series - www.musicforsanctuary.org”
What is the geographical spread of the entrants?
“We have had entries from all over the UK, from conservatoires and
university music departments as well as some starting out in the profession, as
well as abroad from Italy, Portugal and even Georgia! We have had entries from soloists, chamber
ensembles and ever a choir!”
*The Andrew Downes Performance Prize Final begins at
1pm on Sunday September 22 at the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, King Edward’s
School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham. Audience admission is £5.00.