Alice Beckwith is a versatile composer of concert music, working on commission throughout the UK. Her lyrical melodic sound is firmly rooted in the British Isles – with an emphasis above all upon story-telling.

The creative process never stops. Whether consciously or subconsciously, you tune in (literally) to everything around you – space, colour, sound, energy, words… all seemingly unrelated. My job as a composer is to sift through to find the gem of an idea, often a time-consuming process! But just sometimes, suddenly when least expected, the outline of a sketch effortlessly appears.

Rapidly emerging as a contemporary composer, Alice was commissioned by the 2024 St Endellion Easter Festival, where her new setting of Paul Fiddes’ The Phoenix – for tenor and harp – was premiered by Mark Padmore and Alis Huws. A new song-cycle commissioned by the 2024 AndPiano Music Festival in Huddersfield marks a welcome return to West Yorkshire – setting texts by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

As well as a composer, Alice is an animateur and music educator, and a passionate advocate for arts engagement and accessibility. She runs a private teaching studio, and regularly delivers academic teaching and school workshops alongside her role as an ABRSM examiner. She is a trustee of Yorkshire Youth and Music.

What does being one of Alice’s patrons look like?

Patrons are invited to join Alice “behind-the-scenes” through regular updates, engaging with her creative process as she collaborates with ensembles and artists on a variety of commissions.

Patrons can expect curated playlists, sneak previews of new works, and advance notice of future projects; as well as opportunities to connect digitally through live streaming, and, most importantly, over a cup of tea when in Manchester.

For commissioning opportunities, please contact Alice directly though her website.

“Music Patron is a very special opportunity to share my new work, professional success and creative development with an engaged, interactive community of philanthropic individuals.”

Supporting a composer on Music Patron gives you a first-hand perspective on the many elements within the creative process and an understanding of the authentic journey of a composer. You can learn more about what it’s like to be a patron here.

Biography

Alice was one of 6 composers selected to participate in the 2023 Cheltenham Music Festival Composers’ Academy, for which she created Three Songs with The Carice Singers. Between 2020-22 she was Composer-in-Residence with Lodge Moor Children’s Choir.

Recent projects include her settings of Heinrich Brockes’ poetry, Nightingale and Reflections – commissioned by Endelienta Baroque – toured the UK as part of their 2023/24 Autumn EarthSong project.

Alice’s contemporary cantata The Golden Thread (2022) – commissioned by the Green Man Gallery, Buxton, with support from the Vaughan Williams Foundation – received a London premiere at the 2023 Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival.

Originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, Alice studied at the Junior RNCM before reading Music at Oxford University; subsequently studying Composition at the Royal Academy of Music.

Listen Nightingale | Alice Beckwith