The World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) has undertaken the commissioning of a new work by internationally renowned composer, Kenneth Hesketh.
The new composition will be premiered at the WASBE biannual international conference in Rio de Janeiro in July 2026. We are now inviting you to become part of this important international commissioning initiative.
WASBE is the lead commissioner of the work.
WE INVITE YOU TO BE PART OF THE COMMISSION
With the commissioning consortia confirmed, we are now inviting you to become part of this important international commissioning initiative.
As a lead commissioner, you will have exclusive access to the piece for the 2026-2027 season and would be able to give the premiere in your region. As a supporting commissioner you will have exclusive access to the work for the 2027-28 season.
Closing date: December 31, 2025
ABOUT THE WORK
I have had a great love and interest in mechanical automata and horology ever since I can remember. Change ringing, carillons, and clocks suffused my childhood. In wanting to celebrate this I'm planning a work for full wind band (see instrumentation below), c.15’ in duration, which would be in separate movements (4 or 5). I see a procession of character pieces that respond in some way to automata clocks (the Prague Orloj being a favourite of mine). The impetus for such a work has come from a small project I worked on last year for 15 note music box, completely diatonic, which led to some interesting compositional choices! I would love to more fully realise the potential of such work on a larger and more coloristic canvas, the result I hope would produce an exciting piece for many bands, of no greater difficulty or increased band size that my early work Danceries (set 1).
A Pageant of Figures and Passing Bells by Kenneth Hesketh
Composer
Kenneth Hesketh has been described as “one of the UK's most vibrant voices, having a brand of modernism that reveals true love for sound itself” (International Piano) and as "a composer who both has something to say and the means to say it” (Tempo magazine). Hesketh has received numerous national and international commissions and has worked with leading ensembles and orchestras in the USA, Far East and Europe. He is a professor of composition and orchestration at the Royal College of Music, honorary professor at Liverpool University and active as a guest lecturer.
He has received numerous national and international commissions, including the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, a Faber Millennium Commission for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group premiered under Sir Simon Rattle, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko, the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Vasilly Sinaisky, Hans Werner Henze and the Endymion Ensemble (in honour of Henze's 75th birthday), the Munich Biennale, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Michael Vyner Trust for the London Sinfonietta, the Göttinger Symphonie Orchester, The Opera Group, Britten Sinfonia, ensemble Psappha and Kissinger Sommer Internationales Musikfestival. Between 2007 to 2009 Hesketh was Composer in the House (Royal Philharmonic Society/ PRS Foundation scheme) with the RLPO. He has been represented at festivals from London (Proms) to the USA (Tanglewood/Bowdoin) to China (Beijing Modern Music Festival). In 2017 Hesketh's 'In Ictu Oculi' for wind orchestra won the 'Wind Band or Brass Band' category of the 2017 British Composer Awards. The panel described the winning piece “as a mature and highly imaginative work that gives the listener an ever more rewarding experience. The writing for instruments show complete mastery of the medium with continually evolving and evocative textures."
His work has been recorded by BIS, NMC, London Sinfonietta, Psappha and Prima Facie labels; the first NMC recording (titled Wunderkammer(konzert) and released in 2013) was devoted to large ensemble and orchestral works. A disc of Hesketh's piano music performed by pianist Clare Hammond was released by BIS in 2016; in the same year the Prima Facie label released a chamber music disc performed by the Continuum Ensemble. All discs were released to critical acclaim.To learn more about Kenneth Hesketh, visit https://kennethhesketh.co.uk/about/biography
Grade
5
Duration
approx. 15 minutes
