https://www.phf.org.uk/artist/nneka-cummins/
Nneka Cummins is a composer and musician, their practice has a focus on groove-inspired music which uses extended techniques to add colour and percussiveness and explores the idea of deconstruction and re-examination through sampled electronics. Nneka curates new sonic combinations resulting in timbral blends that form original sound worlds and often incorporates organic, flowing melodies in their work. Nneka gains great influence from Afrofuturist art and wishes to explore how they, a British born Nigerian-Bahamian can write contemporary classical work in a modern and forward-looking way.
From a single-parent, working-class household, Nneka was a self-taught composer whilst studying for a degree in Law and qualifying as a solicitor. Nneka gained a place to study an MA in Composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2020 and was the recipient of the Gareth Neame Scholarship and the Trinity College London Scholarship. Nneka was awarded the Liverpool Philharmonic’s Rushworth Composition Prize in 2021 and their work, Metal Tapestry was performed by Ensemble 10:10 in October 2022 at the Tung Auditorium. Nneka received the Director’s Prize for Excellence in Composition in 2021 and presented a portfolio of work at the Trinity Laban Gold Medal Showcase 2022 at Kings Place London.
Nneka was a Philharmonia Composer Academy fellow 2022/2023, their work, 3 Planets, was premiered at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in May 2023 and the concert recording has recently been released on NMC Recordings. Nneka is a Sound and Music New Voices Composer 2022-2023 and has recently been selected for Non-Classical’s Artist in Residence scheme 2023 to 2025.
I am incredibly grateful and humbled to receive the Paul Hamlyn award at this point in my career. It will bring greater creative freedom and the opportunity to invest in my learning and experimentation. It will also provide space to reflect on my next steps with an increased access to resources. I would not be here without the mentorship I have received and I am especially appreciative to Trinity Laban for opening their doors to me in the first place. I am so very thankful for this opportunity.Nneka Cummins
A piece from RECONSTRUCT (MA Final, Trinity Laban) composed for clarinet in Bb, bass clarinet and fixed electronics. 3 minutes and 49 seconds duration (extract 1 minute 26 seconds). Performed by Alex Lyon and Ashley Brand at Blackheath Halls, July 2022.
MEANDERING WINGS, 2022
Performed by Conrad Marshall (flute) and Lauren Scott (harp), recorded and mastered by Rob Kelledy, edited and produced by Tim Williams, with Leighton Moody as Director of Photography. 3 minutes 20 seconds duration.
Movement 2 of 3 Planets composed for chamber orchestra and sampler, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra as part of the Philharmonia’s Composer Academy 2022- 2023. Conducted by Robin O’Neill. Live recording from premier at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre on 5 May 2023. 2 minutes 19 seconds duration.
A piece from RECONSTRUCT (MA Final, Trinity Laban) composed for chamber ensemble and fixed electronics. 4 minutes 4 seconds duration (extract 1 minute 36 seconds). Performed by Alex Lyon (Bb clarinet, bass clarinet), Ashley Brand (tenor saxophone), Rebecca Burden (cello), Marika Tsuchiya (percussion) at Blackheath Halls, July 2022.