Shirley Joy ThompsonOBE (born 7 January 1958) is an English composer, conductor, and violinist of Jamaican descent. Her output as a composer encompasses symphonies, ballets, operas, concertos, and other works for ensembles, as well as music for TV, film, and theatre.[1] Her New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony was composed in 2002[2] and debuted in 2004. Also an academic, she is currently Professor of Music at the University of Westminster.[3] In the 2019 New Year Honours she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music.[4][5]
Early years and education
Shirley Thompson was born in London, UK, of Jamaican parents.[6] Her early musical experience included playing the violin in various youth symphony orchestras in London, and choral singing with local choirs in Newham.[7] She graduated in music from Liverpool University and in composition from Goldsmiths' College after studying with Professor Stanley Glasser.[8]
Career
After university, Thompson composed a body of solo and instrumental ensemble works for concert hall as well as working as a freelance composer of music for TV, films, and the theatre.[6] She set up the Shirley Thompson Ensemble[8] in 1994 and this became the main vehicle for her instrumental and vocal works that fused contemporary classical orchestrations with popular and world music styles.[6]
Having trained as a television programme maker at the BBC and Carlton Television, Thompson directed the film Memories in Mind,[9] with an award from the Arts Council,[10] which was broadcast by the BBC in 1998.
Thompson began to focus on full orchestral composition with New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony, first performed in 2004 and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra[10][11] to celebrate one thousand years of London's history.[6] The piece sees the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play alongside two choirs, solo singers, a rapper and dhol drummers.[6][10] Originally commissioned for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2002, the concept has been described as "a predecessor of the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony".[12][13]
In 2010, Thompson was announced in the Powerlist of Britain's 100 Most Influential Black People 2010,[19][20] an accolade that would be repeated in subsequent years, including being listed in the Top 10 for 2018.[21][22][23] Most recently, Thompson has also been included in the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of the list for her continued contribution to music.[24][25][26]
On 9 February 2013, extracts from her work Mandela Tales, inspired by the book Nelson Mandela's Favourite African Folk Tales (2002), were included in the programme performed by the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir from Gordonstoun School at the amphitheatre at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.[27]
In April 2016, she was honoured with the Luminary Award[31] (presented to people of Caribbean heritage who have made significant, outstanding contributions on an international scale or have brought to prominence issues that affect the Caribbean region, with previous recipients including Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Cliff, Louise Bennett and Derek Walcott) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Benefit Gala in Toronto, Canada.[32]
In 2018, to mark the 70th anniversary of the landing of the HMT Empire Windrush, the ship that brought one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom, Thompson was commissioned to compose a new anthem, entitled "Psalm to Windrush: for the Brave and Ingenious", which was performed at a special service of thanksgiving held at Westminster Abbey.[33][34]
On 9 June 2021, her work Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate premiered in a virtual concert performance as part of a collaboration between Chineke! Orchestra and UK charity Christian Aid to highlight the global impact of climate change.[35][36]
Also in 2021, Thompson's Emanation, a seven-minute work for chamber ensemble, commissioned by Allianz Musical Insurance and composed for BSO Resound, "the world's first professional disabled-led ensemble embedded in a major symphony orchestra", had its world premiere on 17 June at Lighthouse, Poole.[37]
Thompson composed the anthem for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, entitled "Beautiful Game", which was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with community singers.[38][39][40]
