A talented young musician from Goole has been crowned the BBC’s Young Composer of the Year.
Goole Academy pupil, Isaac Bristow was named as one of the six winners in the competition which received over 520 entries from young musicians across the country. The 14-year-old who won the lower juniors category will now receive the opportunity to take part in a development programme with a mentor composer, as well as create a BBC Radio 3 commission for the BBC Concert Orchestra. Previous winners of the competition have also gone on to compose pieces for the BBC’s orchestras which have been played at major musical events including the BBC Proms. Isaac said: “I am really pleased with my achievement, I was so shocked when I found out, I never expected this to happen. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to work with the BBC in the future.”
The win is especially impressive as not only did the teenager manage to beat off stiff competition from hundreds of other young hopefuls, but it was also the first classical composition he has ever created. Isaac revealed: “My music teacher Miss Gage told me about the competition, I had composed a few bits of music before but never really completed anything. I’d never composed any classical music either so it was definitely a challenge.” Isaac’s winning composition, Black Matter was based around the theme of space exploration and the musician says he gained inspiration for the piece from his love of science and science fiction. The teenager first began playing music when he was just six-years-old when his parents bought him a drum kit. He said: “My older brother Jake has always been into music and he has been a big inspiration for me. I started playing the drums when I was six and then I got a bass guitar from my brother and started learning to play that.”
Isaac has also credited his school and music teachers for helping him to get where he is today. He said: “My piece for the competition was played entirely on the keyboard, which I only started playing about a year ago through school, so everything I have learnt has been thanks to my teachers. “Miss Gage has taught me a lot of new techniques and has really helped me. I also attend School of Rock in Goole and they have taught me a lot too.” The competition was judged by a penal of renowned musicians including composers, Shiva Feshareki, Gavin Higgins, Sarah Freestone and Lloyd Coleman, as well as singer-songwriters Becky Hill and Benbrick, and the director of the BBC Proms, David Pickard. Since winning the competition Isaac says he has already begun working on other pieces and hopes to pursue his passion for music for many years to come. Goole Academy’s Principal, Julian Harrison said: “Naturally, we're delighted to hear about Isaac’s success, and we are confident that he has a very bright future ahead of him.”
Isaac’s parents, Kelly and Carl Bristow added: “We are extremely proud of Isaac and his achievement. We were blown away when we initially heard his composition and are delighted that his hard work has paid off!” To listen to Isaac’s award winning composition, Dark Matter, visit: https://soundcloud.com/isaac-bristow-381286480?fbclid=IwAR0NDp9p3mcfzHeUpfhnT2gFgjVouU2Rewmg_MVN3s-SJ8XlT6wICOmwKcI
The 14-year-old won the composition with his composition, Dark Matter. (30-09-99 GT/EC)
