Michael Hughes – Irish Heritage Bursary Winner for Composition 2021/22

We are delighted to announce that Michael Hughes has been selected for the Composition Bursary for 2021/22. He is a composer and guitarist born in Birmingham, UK and is currently studying for his doctorate in composition at the Royal College of Music, London. Michael has been awarded the Frank Bridge Studentship and his doctoral supervisors are William Mival and Andrew Hamilton of the RCM. Michael studied guitar at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, graduating in 2014 with the RWCMD guitar award. He then went on to complete his masters in guitar and composition at the Royal College of Music in 2016.

Michael was selected for the Psappha Ensemble’s ‘Composing For’ 20/21 scheme and the Cheltenham Festival Composers Academy for 2021. In May 2022 his chamber opera 'Gilbert Feathers' was premiered at the Britten Theatre and produced by Tête à Tête Opera Company. In 2010 Michael was a highly commended winner on BBC Young Composer of the Year. In 2016 Michael received 2nd prize in the Timo Korhonen International Composition Competition.

Michael’s music has been performed and recorded by artists including the Fidelio Trio, Chineke! Orchestra, Laura Snowden and The Vickers Bovey Guitar Duo in various venues including Barbican, the National Portrait Gallery, The National Museum of Wales as well as for Listenpony and the 840 concert series. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 performed by the Aurora Orchestra.

We are so pleased that Michael went forward for the Irish Heritage Bursary, sponsored by the Ireland Funds of Great Britain, and no doubt with the success he has already achieved he has an excellent future in front of him. We look forward to having Michael perform his winning opus for us at our April concert next year.