Edward Gregson has just returned from Italy, where he was on the jury for the 5th International Composer’s Competition, part of the Stresa Festival (on beautiful Lake Maggiore) which this year celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Gregson was the only  jury member from the UK, the others included Detlev Glanert (Germany) and conductor Gianandrea Noseda, who is also Artistic Director of the Festival.

Gregson will be taking part in a special composer’s forum at the Mahler Centenary Conference later this week being held at the University of Surrey. Along with four other composers, including David Matthews and Anthony Payne, he will be discussing the influence of Mahler on his own composition, as well as discussing the enduring legacy of Mahler’s music in the world at large. In particular, Gregson will be talking about his recent BBC ‘Mahler commission’ Dream Song, which he composed for the 2010 ‘Mahler in Manchester’ festival, and which was premiered by the BBC Philharmonic under Gianandrea Noseda.

In August, Edward Gregson will be a guest lecturer on a Mediterranean cruise aboard the liner ‘The Spirit of Adventure’. He will give four lectures relating to music of the Mediterranean countries.

In September/October he will be on the jury of the World Music Contest Foundation Kerkrade (Holland), which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary with jubilee activities from 22 September – 2 October. This famous festival is for brass, wind, and harmonie bands from Holland and all over Europe.

Later in October he will be attending a performance of his Concerto for Orchestra by the Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra (of which he is President).

At the beginning of December his new work for solo violin will be premiered at the RNCM International Violin Competition in Manchester. It has been commissioned as the test piece for the semi-final stage when 8 competitors will be battling it out for a place in the concerto final (see separate news item).

Finally, Gregson is working on a major new work for brass band, details of which will be released in January. The work has been commissioned by three different organisations, the first time this has happened in the brass band world. It promises to be an exciting event.