Bedford School Pupil is Britten Sinfonia's Newest Composer

Published by Bedford School on Wednesday 9th of May 2018

Bedford School Lower Sixth Former, Alex Watson, has been invited to join the Composer’s Hub of the Britten Sinfonia, one of the world’s most celebrated and pioneering orchestral ensembles. Along with two other young composers, Alex will learn how to develop his creative, technical, and stylistic skills through a comprehensive programme of tailored composition briefs, mentoring from professionals, rehearsals, recordings, and public performances. Alex has enjoyed an incredible year on the music scene to date. In February, he was recognised for his composing talent when he came 32nd (out of 2000 entrants) in the Young Composers’ Competition. However, as Alex has never composed for an orchestra before, this opportunity with Britten Sinfonia will provide a timely opening for him to learn the ropes from established members of the Sinfonia and be mentored by the accomplished young composer, Edmund Finnis. Director of Music at Bedford School, Mr Jonathan Sanders told us, “This will be a great opportunity for Alex to work with a professional orchestra such as the Britten Sinfonia and get one of his own pieces performed and recorded as part of the programme. It is an excellent way of allowing talented students such as Alex real life experience of working within the music profession.” Alex has been composing music for around three years and also studies at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance every Saturday, which he enjoys tremendously. At Bedford School he is studying Music, Music Tech, English and German at A-Level and is currently looking at music universities to attend after Sixth Form.