National award win is music to Eilidh's ears
A talented Staffordshire schoolgirl has been celebrating after a national composer award.
Eilidh Owen has won the 2020 National Centre for Early Music Young Composer Award in the 18 and under category.
The 17-year-old, who is in Year 13 at Lichfield Cathedral School, composed a choir piece called 'As If There Were No Such Cold Thing' and spoke of how she felt when she found out she had won.
She said: "I was so surprised and excited when I heard my name announced as the winner of the NCEM Young Composers Award.
"This was the first choir piece I’ve ever written and I didn’t expect to do so well.
"I still can’t believe that Radio 3 played part of my piece on the In Tune program and the nice comments made by Katie Derham.
"I’m really looking forward to hearing the Tallis Scholars perform my piece in London in March next year."
Her winning composition is based upon the first and last verses of George Herbert's poem 'The Flower' and will be performed by the Tallis Scholars at a concert at the Cadogan Hall on March 24.
It has also been recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show tomorrow.
Eilidh's father Mark spoke of his own pride at his daughter's win in the major national annual award, which is open to young composers up to the age of 25 and resident in the UK.
He said: "It was exciting to see and hear Eilidh’s piece performed and a total shock when she won.
"The reaction from friends and family who were able to watch online has been incredible.
"We as a family just want to say thank you to the NCEM for organising the competition and for everyone who has trained and encouraged Eilidh at Lichfield Cathedral School and Lichfield Cathedral Choir."
To find out more about the awards and to hear Eilidh's winning piece, go to ncem.co.uk/composersaward2020
