Gavin Higgins to receive Iles Medal
The Worshipful Company of Musicians has announced that composer Gavin Higgins will be the recipient of the 2023 Iles Medal. The award made by the City of London's historic livery company in recognises outstanding service to the brass band movement. The Iles Medal was established in 1947 by John Henry Iles, a Pastmaster of the Company, and is awarded annually to musicians who have made a significant contribution to the brass band movement.
Gavin Higgins has emerged as a composer writing for brass bands who has also achieved considerable critical acclaim in the classical music field. Born in Gloucestershire in 1983 Gavin later studied french horn and composition at Chetham’s School of Music, The Royal Northern College of Music, and the Royal College of Music. Higgins comes from a long lineage of working-class brass band musicians dating back to 1895 and his passion for this heritage has resulted in a number of vigorous, daring works for brass such as ‘Destroy, Trample as Swiftly as She’ (2011), ‘Prophecies’ (2017) and ‘So Spoke Albion’ (2019) commissioned for the European Brass Band Championships. His biggest and most ambitious piece to date, ‘Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra’ was recently premiered at the 2022 BBC Proms to great acclaim. Gavin is currently Composer in Association with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
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