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Shirley Thompson (composer)

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Shirley Thompson
OBE
Born
Shirley Joy Thompson

London, England
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipBritish
Alma materLiverpool University; Goldsmiths' College
Occupations
  • Composer
  • conductor
  • violinist
  • academic
Notable workNew Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony
AwardsTop TV Music Theme (1990) for South of the Border
Mannheim Film Festival prize (1990) for Dreaming Rivers
Websitewww.shirleythompsonmusic.com
External videos
video icon "Storytelling with the Power of Music – A 21st Century Symphony", Shirley J. Thompson at TEDxJamaica

Shirley Joy Thompson OBE (born 7 January 1958) is an English composer, conductor, and violinist of Jamaican descent. Her output as a composer encompasses symphonies, ballets, operas, concertos, and other works for ensembles, as well as music for TV, film, and theatre.[1] Her New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony was composed in 2002[2] and debuted in 2004. Also an academic, she is currently Professor of Music at the University of Westminster.[3] In the 2019 New Year Honours she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music.[4][5]

Early years and education

[edit]

Shirley Thompson was born in London, UK, of Jamaican parents.[6] Her early musical experience included playing the violin in various youth symphony orchestras in London, and choral singing with local choirs in Newham.[7] She graduated in music from Liverpool University and in composition from Goldsmiths' College after studying with Professor Stanley Glasser.[8]

Career

[edit]

After university, Thompson composed a body of solo and instrumental ensemble works for concert hall as well as working as a freelance composer of music for TV, films, and the theatre.[6] She set up the Shirley Thompson Ensemble[8] in 1994 and this became the main vehicle for her instrumental and vocal works that fused contemporary classical orchestrations with popular and world music styles.[6]

Having trained as a television programme maker at the BBC and Carlton Television, Thompson directed the film Memories in Mind,[9] with an award from the Arts Council,[10] which was broadcast by the BBC in 1998.

Thompson began to focus on full orchestral composition with New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony, first performed in 2004 and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra[10][11] to celebrate one thousand years of London's history.[6] The piece sees the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play alongside two choirs, solo singers, a rapper and dhol drummers.[6][10] Originally commissioned for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2002, the concept has been described as "a predecessor of the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony".[12][13]

Alongside Andy Cowton and Carlos Montoya, Thompson co-scored the award-winning[14] ballet PUSH, which premiered in 2005 and has since toured the world in major and prestigious venues, among them: Sadler's Wells, the London Coliseum, New York City Center and the Sydney Opera House. Theater Heilbronn, Germany; Athens Arena, Greece; Opéra de Lyon, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, France; Teatro Comunale Modena (Modena), Teatro degli Arcimboldi (Milan), and Teatro di San Carlo (Naples), Italy; Teatro Real, Madrid, Spain; and Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia.[10][14][15]

In 2007, Thompson was commissioned to compose music for the opening of the Parliamentary exhibition The British Slave Trade: Abolition, Parliament and People, which marked the 250-year anniversary of legislation for the abolition of the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people.[6] The Woman Who Refused to Dance, performed at the launch, is arranged for soprano, spoken-word artist and orchestra.[9][10][16] Spirit of the Middle Passage for three solo singers, spoken-word artist and chamber orchestra[9] was performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra in the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the Freedom & Culture International Creative Forum.[6][17] The work featured three heroines: Nanny of the Maroons, Dido Elizabeth Belle, and The Woman Who Refused To Dance (on a ship with enslaved Africans).[10]

In 2009, Thompson was commissioned by Southbank Centre to compose a piece to commemorate 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency.[6][18] Voice of Change for chamber orchestra, solo voices, speaker and video was performed in April 2009 at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre,[19] with performers including principals of the BBC Concert Orchestra and soloists.[6]

In 2010, Thompson was announced in the Powerlist of Britain's 100 Most Influential Black People 2010,[20][21] an accolade that would be repeated in subsequent years, including being listed in the Top 10 for 2018.[22][23][24] Most recently, Thompson has also been included in the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of the list for her continued contribution to music.[25][26][27]

On 9 February 2013, extracts from her work Mandela Tales, inspired by the book Nelson Mandela's Favourite African Folk Tales (2002), were included in the programme performed by the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir from Gordonstoun School at the amphitheatre at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.[28]

In 2015, her opera Sacred Mountain: Incidents in the Life of Queen Nanny of the Maroons was chosen to open London's Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival.[29][30][31]

In April 2016 she was honoured with the Luminary Award[32] (presented to people of Caribbean heritage who have made significant, outstanding contributions on an international scale or have brought to prominence issues that affect the Caribbean region, with previous recipients including Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Cliff, Louise Bennett and Derek Walcott) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Benefit Gala in Toronto, Canada.[33]

In 2018, to mark the 70th anniversary of the landing of the HMT Empire Windrush, the ship that brought one of the first large groups of postwar West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom, Thompson was commissioned to compose a new anthem, entitled "Psalm to Windrush: for the Brave and Ingenious", which was performed at a special service of thanksgiving held at Westminster Abbey.[34][35]

On 9 June 2021, her work Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate premiered in a virtual concert performance as part of a collaboration between Chineke! Orchestra and UK charity Christian Aid to highlight the global impact of climate change.[36][37]

Also in 2021, Thompson's Emanation, a seven-minute work for chamber ensemble, commissioned by Allianz Musical Insurance and composed for BSO Resound, "the world's first professional disabled-led ensemble embedded in a major symphony orchestra", had its world premiere on 17 June at Lighthouse, Poole.[38]

In 2023, she was announced as one of 12 composers who would each create a brand new piece for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla,[39][40] "personally commissioned" by the King.[41][42][43][44][45]


Academic work

[edit]

Thompson is Professor of Music at the University of Westminster,[3] where she has taught since 2001, having held the position of Reader and Head of Composition and Performance.[10][46][47] She has also given lectures at other institutions, including the Victoria & Albert Museum[48] and on BBC Radio 3.[49]

Filmography

[edit]

Thompson was interviewed as part of the BBC mockumentary series Cunk on Earth.[50]

Honours and awards

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Thompson has received awards from the following organisations:

Works

[edit]

Thompson has composed for opera, orchestra, contemporary dance, TV and film. Selected works include:

  • New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony (2004) – symphony for orchestra, choir, solo singers, rapper and dhol drummers[58]
  • Push – contemporary ballet (co-scored)[58]
  • The Woman Who Refused to Dance – for solo singer, speaker and orchestra
  • Spirit of the Middle Passage – for solo singers, speaker and orchestra[8]
  • Viola Concerto, Oslo Odyssey – for orchestral and electronic instruments and multi-media[58]
  • 100 Days of Barack Obama – for solo voice, instrumental ensemble and video projection[58]
  • The Lodger – theatrical music[8]
  • A Child of the Jago – opera[8]
  • Tapestry Song Cycle – for soprano and instrumental ensemble[58]

Her works have been recorded and issued on CD and DVD, including:

  • New Nation Rising – A 21st Century Symphony[59]
  • Newham Symphony Spectacular
  • Transition
  • Summer Notes[60]
  • Anansi Fantasia[61]
  • Memories in Mind

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dr Shirley J. Thompson FRSA, fHEA Composer", Music Unites Jamaica Foundation.
  2. ^ "New Nation Rising, score", University of Westminster repository.
  3. ^ a b "Prof Shirley Thompson (UK)". Black British Academics. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Order of the British Empire | Civil Division: Professor Shirley Joy Thompson", The London Gazette, 29 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Professor Shirley J. Thompson receives OBE", The Ivors Academy, 15 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About". Shirley J. Thompson website. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Shirley Thompson, Composer", Mariinsky Theatre.
  8. ^ a b c d e Basca. "Basca – Classical and Jazz Executive". Basca. Archived from the original on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  9. ^ a b c "Shirley Thompson compositions". Shirley J. Thompson. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Dr Shirley Thompson, Reader in Music". University of Westminster. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  11. ^ "New Nation Rising website". Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Music for HM Queen Elizabeth II", Shirley J. Thompson.
  13. ^ "Dr Shirley Thompson, Patron", Black British Academics.
  14. ^ a b "Sylvie Guillem & Russell Malipant – PUSH". Sadler's Wells. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Performances in 38 Opera Houses Worldwide", Shirley J. Thompson website.
  16. ^ "University of Westminster research". University of Westminster. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  17. ^ "Freedom and Culture Forum Webpage". Passage of Music. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  18. ^ "Obama: 100 days". View Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  19. ^ "Barack Obama: 100 days". eventful.com. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  20. ^ Eboda, Michael (14 April 2011). "Here they are: 100 role models for black teens". Evening Standard. London.
  21. ^ "Powerlist 2010". Powerful Media. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  22. ^ "Here are the top 10 most influential black Britons", AOL Newsletter, 25 October 2016.
  23. ^ "Shirley J Thompson", Power List, Powerful Media, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Glen Munro, "Composer Shirley Makes Her Mark On The Power List", The Voice, 11 November 2017.
  25. ^ Lavender, Jane (17 November 2020). "Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021". mirror. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  26. ^ Mills, Kelly-Ann (25 October 2019). "Raheem Sterling joins Meghan and Stormzy in top 100 most influential black Brits". mirror. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  27. ^ Hicks, Amber (23 October 2018). "List of 100 most influential black people includes Meghan Markle for first time". mirror. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  28. ^ "'Mandela Tales' by Dr Shirley Thompson to feature in South African Concert" Archived 9 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, CREAM News, University of Westminster, 1 February 2013.
  29. ^ "Westminster Academic's Musical Production to Open the World's Largest Contemporary Opera Festival" Archived 17 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, University of Westminster, 30 June 2015.
  30. ^ Deborah Gabriel, "Dr Shirley Thompson's Nanny of the Maroons Opera Continues to Diversify Classical Music Performance", Black British Academics, 13 June 2015.
  31. ^ "TBB Reviews Shirley J Thompson’s ‘Sacred Mountain Words & Music’ Opera", The British Blacklist, 8 August 2015.
  32. ^ Honorees, UWI Toronto Benefit Gala, 2016.
  33. ^ a b "Award-Winning Composer Dr Shirley J Thompson Receives Luminary Award", News – University of Westminster, 11 April 2016.
  34. ^ "Spirit of Windrush celebrated at Westminster Abbey", Westminster Abbey, 22 June 2018.
  35. ^ "Westminster Abbey celebrates the Spirit of Windrush", Keep the Faith, 29 August 2018.
  36. ^ "Chineke! Orchestra teams up with Christian Aid to highlight the climate emergency". Classic FM. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Professor Shirley Thompson OBE composes orchestra music for Christian Aid virtual concert". University of Westminster. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  38. ^ "BSO Resound calls for inclusion to remain centre stage as it performs world premiere by Shirley J. Thompson". Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber piece among new coronation music". BBC News. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  40. ^ Pepper, Jack (3 May 2023). "The Coronation: Royal Music Through Time". Gramophone. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  41. ^ Stokes, Tim (4 May 2023). "Coronation: The 'Cinderella story' of Shirley J Thompson". BBC News. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  42. ^ Thomas, Tobi (15 November 2023). "Shirley Thompson: how the brilliant Black composer beat the system that shut her out". The Guardian.
  43. ^ Coke, Hope (24 February 2023). "A who's who of the 12 illustrious composers behind King Charles III's coronation music". Tatler.
  44. ^ "Coronation The 'Cinderella story' of Shirley J Thompson". Broadcast News. 5 May 2023.
  45. ^ Torrance, David (25 October 2023). "The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla" (PDF). House of Commons Library. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  46. ^ a b "Our people". University of Westminster. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  47. ^ "Dr Shirley J. Thompson" at LinkedIn.
  48. ^ "Dr Shirley J Thompson to Give Lecture on Heroines of Opera", Cream News, University of Westminster, 14 April 2015.
  49. ^ "Westminster's Dr Shirley J Thompson to Present a Lecture about Florence Beatrice Price on BBC Radio 3", News and Events, University of Westminster, 8 February 2017.
  50. ^ "Professor Shirley Thompson OBE for BBC's Cunk on Earth on the history of music". www.westminster.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  51. ^ a b "Speakers biographies". Music Tank. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  52. ^ "Westminster's Dr Shirley J. Thompson Named as 'One of the Most Inspirational British Women of Colour' by metro UK", News and Events, University of Westminster, 23 October 2017.
  53. ^ "Shirley J. Thompson OBE named as one of the top most influential Black people in the UK on the Powerlist 2021", University of Westminster, 30 November 2020.
  54. ^ "Black History Year: Shirley J. Thompson OBE named among the most influential Black people in the UK on the Powerlist 2022". University of Westminster. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  55. ^ "18 to receive honorary degrees as UWI graduation begins", Loop (Trinidad and Tobago), 13 October 2018.
  56. ^ "No. 62507". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 2018. p. N14.
  57. ^ "Shirley J. Thompson", British Music Collection.
  58. ^ a b c d e "Scores catalogue". Shirley J. Thompson. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  59. ^ "New nation rising: a 21st century symphony", Westminster Research, 2002.
  60. ^ "Recordings". Shirley J. Thompson. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  61. ^ Arts on Film. "Arts on Film archive". University of Westminster. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
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