Episode 15: Sarah Frances Jenkins
Episode 15 timestamps:
(0:20) Sarah’s background
(0:41) Why Royal College of Music?
(3:49) Does the speed of London make you compose faster?
(8:00) Being the BBC Proms Inspire Ambassador
(17:03) Composing: a natural talent or hard work?
(22:35) Collaborating with instrumentalists
(25:24) Lawrence Power and the Viola Commission Circle
(30:00) What’s it like to hear your composition played live?
(37:50) Why do you compose music?
(46:50) Any difficulties you thought you couldn’t overcome but eventually did?
Well, what a fantastic two days in London interviewing some brilliant guests in the classical music world!
After a thrilling journey of hosting a Desert-Island-disc evening on Monday at the Putney Music Society, I spent the morning after interviewing award-winning composer, Sarah Frances Jenkins!
As a composer she has been commissioned by a multitude of festivals such as the prestigious Vale of Glamorgan Festival, the Presteigne Festival, and the Corbridge Chamber Music Festival - all in 2021! Been a busy year for her…
Since her victory in and acceptance of the 2017 BBC Young Composer award, she has been commissioned by and collaborated with ensembles including the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Aurora Orchestra, Solem Quartet, Magnard Ensemble and the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective.
As a clarinettist - which she studied as a primary instrument in her Royal Welsh College of Music undergraduate degree - she was awarded The Musicians’ Company Silver Medal in 2020.
And now, to end her impressive resumé of awards, she has been since 2017 BBC Proms Inspire Ambassador. In this role she helps “facilitates creative music workshops for young people.
I hope you enjoy this truly insightful chat into this bright, intelligent, and focused musical personality - one figure to look out for in the future!
