麻豆官网首页入口

My Timeline

Shiva performing the premiere of 'Sama-zan Trip' with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2022 (c) Martin Gross

Nearly 20 years ago, my life changed almost overnight when I won the 麻豆官网首页入口 Young Composer award for the very first piece I had ever composed. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the 19 years that followed in which my professional life as a composer has led me to write more than 200 compositions, travelling the world performing with turntables alongside the world’s greatest orchestras, choirs, musicians, artists and thinkers.

I don’t come from a musical family; in fact, I first learnt about composition in my GCSEs and it was the piece I composed for my exam that won the 麻豆官网首页入口 Young Composer award. What I am certain of is that I was born obsessed with music. If you have anything you love doing as much as I loved making music as a child, you should grab hold of it, nurture it, cherish it and never give it up.

When I won the award in 2004, it was nothing short of transformative. At the time, I had problems in my personal life, and my confidence was very low as a result. I didn’t think I could win, and although I had drive and passion, I didn’t think I could be accepted as a composer. On top of that, the daily discrimination that immigrant families such as mine faced was very real, and very othering and so I never really felt like I fitted in as a child, let alone saw many role models that I could relate to in the music industry. Winning the award in that moment allowed me to become my own role model. It gave me the creative inspiration and confidence I needed to pursue my own unique path.

Soon after winning the award, I was already receiving professional commissions while studying at the Royal College of Music. My love of turntables also emerged in this moment and so my turntablism and composition practice grew hand in hand, entwined together.
In the decade that followed, my day-to-day life as a composer expanded: not only was I composing commissioned works for the concert hall, I began playing at raves, making installations for art galleries, radio DJing and even song-writing for commercial pop musicians. By the age of 30, this experimental approach led me to win another significant award: I became the youngest person to win the Ivors Composer award for Innovation, propelling me into the next phase of my career as an established composer.

Doing What You Love

Creativity, composing and performing my own music gives me the chance to live an enriching life, giving me an opportunity to expand my perspective, observe the world and convey what I see and feel to inspire others to expand their perspectives.

It also takes a lot of guts, hard work, attention to detail, time, care and love to truly achieve a meaningful life in music, and make it a full-time career. I must be disciplined and organised. I must have faith in myself, and know how to protect myself and nurture a support system that I can call on. I’m essentially running my own business, with my own team, so this area requires a lot of work too. One thing I learnt over time was how to transform setbacks and pain into great growth, new insights and important change.

Becoming a judge

I am excited to be a judge in the competition that inspired me so much. I have seen many young composers follow in my footsteps in recent years. They are working on their first professional commissions, just like I did at their age and just like you could too. If you’re thinking of applying, don’t hesitate any further. Seize the opportunity, and use it as a chance to grow: you have nothing to lose!

Are you (or do you know) a young person who loves to create their own music?

We're looking for musically minded young people aged 12 - 18 (on closing date) - of all technical abilities, musical backgrounds and influences to enter this year's 麻豆官网首页入口 Young Composer competition.

Winners will participate in a tailored development programme working with a mentor composer on a project with members of the 麻豆官网首页入口 Concert Orchestra, culminating in a performance or broadcast opportunity.

Entries must be submitted online no later than 4pm, Monday 3 July 2023.

Details of how to enter, plus the rules and privacy notice, can be found on our website