The rising young British composer Toby Young has been appointed Composer in Residence for the London Oriana Choir. As part of his first season, he will be taking part in the choir’s 40th celebrations by composing a special commission to commemorate the occasion, which will receive its world premiere at a concert at St Paul’s in London’s Covent Garden on Friday 14th March 2014.
Dominic Peckham, Musical Director of London Oriana Choir, says he is really looking forward to working together. "I am absolutely thrilled that Toby has accepted the position of Composer in Residence for our 40th Season and beyond,” he said. “He is a remarkably gifted, sensitive and passionate young composer who combines first-class performance expertise with a vast knowledge of both choral and orchestral repertoire. It is such an honour that he has agreed to write this special Anniversary Commission for London Oriana Choir to celebrate our 40 year history and I cannot wait to start the creative process with him."
Toby Young studied composition with Robin Holloway at Cambridge whilst also being a choral scholar in the prestigious King's College Chapel Choir. Since winning numerous competitions, most notably the International ABRSM Composition Competition (2009) and the Guardian/BBC Proms Young Composer of the Year (2006), Toby has been much in demand, both in the UK and abroad, with works being performed at numerous prestigious venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall, Sadlers Wells and the Cadogan Hall, by renowned ensembles and orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of Ancient Music and many others.
Commissions have included orchestral and ensemble works for the St. Petersburg British Music Festival, the City of Oxford Sinfonia, the London School of Economics and the Royal Academy of Music. He has also written material for D&B and hip-hop artists such as Chase & Status, MOKO and Jacob Banks, including the recent top-ten album "Brand New Machine".