Something I've always told students of mine who are trying to build a name for themselves in the industry, is to google themselves - how many of the search results are in fact, you? Sometimes, it might surprise you where you pop up…. which I proved to myself, as I came across a concert featuring my work that had slipped under my radar! 

Back in 2014 I submitted two pieces to The Australian Boys Choir for their 75th anniversary composition competition, one of which, ‘Northern Star’ was selected as a finalist and premiered. I had all but forgotten about the other piece I had submitted, until I came across the concert announcement for The Australian Boys Choir Concert in March 2023, which was featuring my other work, ‘Down the Open Road’! 
- I promptly emailed them to let them know this was in fact a world premiere, and that I was delighted they were performing another of my works. I was able to watch the premiere by the wonder that is online concert performances (at the ungodly hour of 1am for me!), and was delighted to hear such a lovely premiere of my piece. Thank you Australian Boys Choir for continuing to programme my work! 

2023 is proving to be starting wonderfully for me it seems! My piece ‘Gold and Blue’, originally written for the NEO voice festival back in July 2022 has been awarded an Honourable Mention by the Madrigal Chorale for their composition competition for 2023. 
- alongside the winning work of the competition, my piece will be performed (and premiered in it's SATB format) in May this year in Michagan. 

Very excited to announce that my piece 'My Hiding Place' has been selected by BHVivaVox for their 2023/2024 recording project and concert season. So honoured that my piece is one of the 9 selected out of 448 from 283 composers from all over the world. 

Will post updates about the upcoming recording project and performances! 

I'm delighted to once again be featured on Parma Recordings Blog 'Inside Story', this time talking about my recent choral music releases, 'My Hiding Place' and 'Adiraï'

Check out the blog below, as well as links to the album on Spotifty:

https://www.parmarecordings.com/the-inside-story-lydia-jane-pugh-and-voices-of-earth-and-air-vol-iv/

https://open.spotify.com/album/3Gukd8YJzRrBEYp343jAWg?si=NSfOIK-tSgOhwmuqyThp8A

After a long, long process of crowd funding, production, and of course delays from COVID, I am so pleased that 'Voices of Earth and Air; Volume 4' has been officially released! 

This album off choral music features two of my work, 'My Hiding Place' and 'Adiraï', both of which are internationally award winning pieces, and are possibly my most performed choral works. It has been a dream of mine to have my choral works recorded and released on a commercial album, and today that has finally come. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this album, be it by donating to the crowd funding campaign, or promoting my work on social media, or simply supporting me by telling me you think my work is great! All of you are immensely appreciated

Follow the link below to find out more about the album, and for links to all streaming and purchase platforms

https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6465/

Every now and then a project comes along that blends together all the things that you do into one neat little package….. 

I am very excited about being part of Moor Theatre’s production of Hamlet, delving deeper into the world of actor-musicianship (with the most aptly named character, ‘The Player’) and also writing an original piece for the show. Ready, set, creative juices are GO!! 

https://www.moortheatre.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/MoorTheatreGuernsey 

I am delighted to say that I have received a commission for a new work for Baritone Saxophone Duo from the Moira Duo, who found me through the Millennium Composers Initiative. 
- The new piece, alongside two other works from two other composers will be premiered sometime in 2023, so watch this space! 

You can find out more about MCI and the Moira Duo by following the links below: 

https://www.mcicomposers.com
https://www.mcicomposers.com/lydia-jane-pugh 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNUFDOsefm56IJHzxrG9vQ

What an amazing journey I had in the USA, attending two music festivals, receiving two world premieres and performing alongside some wonderful musicians and composers from all around the world! 

The first festival was The Common Tone Music Festival, a week long event that took place in Moscow, Idaho. This was a truly wonderful experience, not only from a professional capacity, but personally. Sitting on a cabin deck in the middle of the woods on the side of a mountain ridge, whilst listening to incredible musicians rehearse new works gave my mind a chance to release all the stresses of the last two years, and I could feel my creativity (which in all honesty has felt muted) returning. Top that all off with wonderful performances in wonderful locations (and an amazing Whiskey Tasting night), it was just a brilliant way to get back into the world of international music making. Thank you Brian Chin and everyone from Common Tone for inviting me to take part! 

And then a complete change of pace and location, The Neo Voice Festival took place over 10 days in Los Angeles. This festival had a much more academic basis, with 10hour days of seminars, discussions and rehearsals, and where I was not only a featured composer, but part of the choir, and a featured soloist. Another hugely rewarding experience surrounded by so many talented and hard-working musicians, I am so pleased I was able to make it work and attend this festival as well.
- you can watch the culmination of our hard work, 'The Signified' below:
(My piece; 'Gold and Blue' is at 41'30, and my featured soloist performances are at 21'45, 24'55, and 1'05'45)


 

After a small delay due to Covid (how used to that are we now eh?), I'm very happy to say that my piece 'Bec du Nez' has now been recorded and premiered by East Chamber Music. 
- Performing my work are Casey Granofsky (Flute) and David Vanbiesbrouck (Oboe). Below is the link to the premiere (featuring a little introduction from myself!), and links to Casey and David's websites: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORJD93YP6vY
https://www.caseygranofsky.com
https://www.oboerific.com

Big thank you to East Chamber Music for selecting me to be part of this. It's an amazing opportunity for any composer looking to push themselves further, explore their writing, or like me just get back in the game! 

2022 continues to throw me incredible opportunities. I am delighted that I will be heading off the LA (very shortly after the Common Tone festival in Idaho) to participate in the NEO Voice Festival: a festival featuring singer, composers, and exploring all manners of voice pedagodgy, science, writing and performance techniques.... it's like the festival was designed just for me! I'm so excited! 

Not only will I have my commissioned work performed at this festival, I will also be performing in the choral ensemble AND as a featured soloist! An unbelievable opportunity and I'm thrilled to be involved. 

For more information have a look as NEO's website below: 
http://www.neovoicefestival.com

Keep and eye (and ear) out for all the updates on my big US music trip 2022!