In collaboration with the British Music Collection and Sound and Music, I created this five-part documentary series of videos profiling five exceptional contemporary composers. They are all women and are of British nationality and Caribbean origin. This is what links these composers, but it is not what singularly defines them. Through this series, I aimed to look at the balance between identity and a composer's musical aesthetic. I have known and worked with these composers for a number of years. I consider them dear friends. Through this project, I gained an insight into these women that I didn't know was missing. The depth and passion of these composers can be heard within their works yet there is so much more to discover. I challenge each of you to take a closer look and see if you too are inspired and informed by their stories and their works. Clifton Harrison

British Music Collection Videos

Sound and Music originally commissioned Identity & Aesthetic: Five British-Caribbean Composers as part of their first series on the British Music Collection, exploring and amplifying the work of Black composers in the UK.

Sound and Music, a charity, is the national organisation for new music. You can find information about this project and the work done by Sound and Music here: soundandmusic.org

The following links, all on YouTube, begin with a trailer by Clifton Harrison, introducing the the series of British Music Collection Videos with a interview with each of the composers to follow:

Trailer: Identity and Aesthetic: Five British-Caribbean Composers
by Clifton Harrison for the BMC

Errollyn Wallen Interview
Prof. Shirley J. Thompson OBE Interview
Eleanor Alberga Interview
Hannah Catherine Jones Interview
Hannah Kendall Interview

If you would like to learn more about any of the composers listed above, please visit their website as follows: Errolyn Wallen, Prof. Shirley J. Thompson, Eleanor Alberga, Hannah Catherine Jones, Hannah Kendall

We do hope that you have found the information about the British Music Collection Videos provided on this page useful, but please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything that we can help you with.

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Photocopies & downloads

Musicians should not perform from unauthorised photocopies (or any other types of unauthorised copies) or illegal downloads of copyright music. In the U.K., certain circumstances determine the usage of copies. The MPA's Code of Fair Practice offers guidance. Musicians must apply to the copyright holder and secure permission before making copies, retaining evidence of the permission sought. Musicians are required to abide by U.K. copyright law.