London Oriana Choir announces second five15 composer-in-residence

Young British composer Rebecca Dale has been chosen as the second composer-in-residence for the ground-breaking five15 project to champion the musical talent of women composers.

Rebecca’s year will kick off in style next month with the première of her first work for the choir, the a cappella Radiate, at a special concert entitled "From The Depths" on Wednesday 5th July in the Sammy Ofer Gallery of the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, where the London Oriana Choir is choir-in-residence for the Royal Museums Greenwich. Her second composition will have a remembrance theme for choir, orchestra and solo cello, while the third will be another unaccompanied piece scheduled for next spring.

The complete programme for the Greenwich concert features works by women composers. In addition to the Rebecca Dale item, there will be a second world première of an anthem, These Things Shall Be, by British composer Ailsa Dixon. There will also be works by Italian Renaissance and early Baroque composers, as well as a focus on contemporary writers working in the UK and the US, such as Dobrinka Tabakova, Roxanna Panufnik, Hannah Lash and Elizabeth Alexander. Tickets for the concert are available via www.londonoriana.com

Launched in April 2016, five15 has been going from strength-to-strength in its first year with the completion of the three commissions by Cheryl Frances-Hoad, more general programming of works by female composers and educational outreach to 16-18 year old budding female composers. Plans are underway for recordings, a competition, a compendium of all the commissioned works and a closing festival.

Dominic Peckham, musical director of the London Oriana Choir, said: “We are delighted with the momentum building for five15. The collaboration with Cheryl produced some wonderful works that really complemented the sound of the choir, building on their strengths. We have already performed works by Rebecca as part of our five15 undertaking and are really looking forward to working with her over the next 12 months. She is such a talent.”

Commenting on her appointment, Rebecca said: “I am thrilled to be working with the London Oriana choir and Dominic Peckham, and honoured to be part of the five15 project, following in Cheryl's inspiring footsteps. As a composer, it's a joy to collaborate with an ensemble so passionate about discovering and promoting new music in all its forms. I can't wait to spend the year working together.”