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FINALISTS
S e l e ctin g aspirin g ch ora l composers from a c ross the count r y

Meet our 2021 Composer Competition

Finalists!
Selected from applicants across the UK and shortlisted to work with an
ORA Singers mentor, read our finalist bios below.

Pip Alpin
Age: 18
Location: Warton
School: Ripley St Thomas CofE Academy

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I

love playing the piano and violin, have started
to learn the organ, and have sung in choirs for
over 8 years. Recently, I have developed a real
passion for music theory and composition, but
my compositions so far have been
instrumental. I am extremely excited to have
this opportunity to develop skills in choral
composition under the guidance of an ORA
Singers mentor, and to take the skills I learn
forward to become a better composer and
musician as a whole.

Ceri Amison
Age: 17
Location: Newbury
School: School: St Bartholomew’s School

I have played music from a young age and I

currently play the piano and saxophone, which
I enjoy playing in school ensembles. At the
moment I am composing a string quartet for A
level and I am excited to learn how to
compose for a choir too! Working with an ORA
Singers mentor is a unique and exciting
opportunity in which I hope to develop my
composition skills while learning more about
choral writing.

Raj Bhaumik
Age: 17
Location: Milngavie
School: Douglas Academy

I am a clarinettist and pianist who loves

playing in orchestras and chamber groups. I
also have some experience singing in choirs. I
have previously composed a bit for
instruments both at school and in my free time
at home, including during the 1st lockdown.
The styles have been quite mixed- often
juxtaposing quite light material with much
more serious music, I still haven't really
discovered my own compositional voice. This
exciting project with the ORA singers is a
fantastic opportunity for me to take my
composition skills much further, find this voice
and to discover how to write well for voices
and how to create music that has a strong
impact on audiences.

Jacob Cooper
Age: 16
Location: Carnforth
School: Queen Elizabeth School

My musical journey commenced at a very

young age. My parents and grandparents
would encourage me to sing and play the
piano and explore my musicality. These have
all been building blocks to where I am today: I
am currently working towards grade 5
Saxophone and singing. I also enjoy
performing in bands and other ensembles,
and recently represented the North of England
in an Air Cadet Marching Band competition.
Composition is relatively new to me, but I am
grateful for the opportunity to work with a ORA
Singers mentor to develop my interest, a skill
which I am sure will stay with me for life.

Hannah Doyle
Age: 17
Location: Blackpool
School: Blackpool Sixth Form College

With the clarinet being my principal

instrument, I also play the bass clarinet, piano
and violin. Additionally, I like to compose and
produce music. I have been involved with
several concert bands as well as composing
for voice at Sound and Music’s Compositional
Summer School in 2019. Not only do I enjoy
the performance and compositional side of
music, but also the music technology aspect.
Furthermore, I have attended Leeds
Conservatoire’s Summer Academy for Music
Production in 2020. From being mentored, I
hope to extend my understanding of complex
harmonies and develop my knowledge of
choral writing.

Ana Geoghegan
Age: 18
Location: Wimbledon
School: Ursuline High School

I am an A-Level student currently studying

piano and flute. I have been composing for
about six years. In particular I love composing
for the piano and take inspiration from
composers like Einaudi. I am excited to be
working with the ORA Singers as I have only
written instrumental music, and I am thrilled to
have the opportunity to explore new
composition techniques by writing for choirs. I
am sure this once-in-a-lifetime experience is
one which I will treasure.

Aidan MacLean
Age: 17
Location: Lisburn
School: Friends’ School

Music has always been my thing and my

musical interests are varied. I play bass and
sing in a rock band, trumpet in a jazz band and
enjoy classical singing. I have been involved in
choral music from the age of 7 through singing
with choirs. I have recently become very
interested in composition. During this time, I
hope to develop my knowledge of choral
writing and gain valuable experience. I am
most excited by the opportunity to work
alongside a professional mentor and
ultimately to hear my own work being
performed by ORA Singers.

Samuel Cole Mpengo

Age: 18
Location: West Ham
School: School 21 and 621

Music is the way to everything for me! I find so

much joy in deconstructing and analysing
music in my head; looking out for every
melodic line, every bass line, every harmonic
movement and every change. I really do get
goosebumps when I find new features of a
song, which supports my love for music.

Samuel Oliver-Sherry
Age: 16
Location: Netherton
School: St Michael's Church of England High
School

I’ve been inspired by so many musical

opportunities already, such as playing in the
Philharmonic Hall with the Liverpool
Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and preparing
for performances on my two instruments; the
violin and piano. I have also recently enjoyed
writing for professional wind quintet as part of
the Rushworth Young Composers Scheme
2020-21. I wanted to apply to the ORA Singers
Composer Competition to help develop my
general musicianship, as well as my
composing skills. I am pleased to have the
chance to learn about writing for the voice,
and to meet the other composers and develop
my social skills.

Sequoia Ralph
Age: 18
Location: Fulham
School: West London Free School

I was first introduced to music at the age of

five. Since then, I have shared both an interest
in composition and performing. I play three
instruments [Piano, Oboe and Organ] and sing.
I have taken part in commissions, set up by my
school and have loved writing for orchestra.
My experience with the choral scene comes
from singing an expanded repertoire with
various church and school choirs. I am looking
forward to working with an ORA Singers
mentor and learning how to compose for such
an ensemble. I also feel that this would be a
unique opportunity for me to meet and learn
from a professional in the field before I go on
to study music at university.

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