AboutThe Future Blend Project launched in 2015.
It grew into an annual solo harp composition competition that brought together composers and harpists to create brand new music for the Harp. Each year 8-10 finalists were chosen from anonymous scores, they then had 5 months to work with their harpist to create the best piece possible for the instrument. The harpists are some of the most exciting and experienced young professionals in the world. So far composers have had the chance to work with Eleanor Turner, Camilla Pay, Shelley Fairplay, Olivia Jaguers, Sophie Rocks, Erica Sinclair, Rosanna Moore, Fran Barsby and many many more! The Hidden Gem Concert was held in the first few weeks of January and was the showcase and World Premier of the 10 new works. |
THE EVOLUTION OF FBP to POPPYHARP COMPOSERS PROJECT.
FBP took a break over the pandemic but is launching again in 2024. 2024: We will be recapping and showcasing the fantastic works that were celebrated in previous FBP concerts. Composers that wish to rerelease their music will be made available on our website. Please note that WWW.FUTUREBLENDPROJECT.COM is nothing to do with PoppyHarp, Fran Barsby OR the original Future Blend Project. Please be cautious of scams online! |
Donate to the project:We rely on donations to give back to the generous harpists that give their time to this project.
If you would like to donate to this project please email Fran at info@poppyharp.com - THANK YOU! If you are a composer that would like to get involved please fill in the form below. If you are a harpist that would like to get involved please email Fran, info@poppyharp.com |
"I run PoppyHarp and the PoppyHarp Composers Project. But I’m also a busy performer! I can’t wait to get to know another set of composers next year. I’ve missed running this project so much! I enjoy an eclectic career as Resident Harpist for Pilgrim Harps, harp teacher, busy performer and I am a committee member for the UKHA.
I can’t wait to get stuck into another composers project! Formally 'The Future Blend Project' was a huge part of my life and I absolutely love working with composers to expand repertoire for the harp. Bring on 2024 and the 5th PoppyHarp Composers Project!" |
“I’m Bethan, a harpist and pianist based in North Wales. I teach and perform in North Wales and across the North West. I enjoy lots of chamber music and orchestral playing and am principal harp for NEW Sinfonia. It’s my first time taking part in the PoppyHarp Composer’s Project and I can’t wait to get involved! My favourite part of being a musician is getting to work alongside other wonderful musicians and to meet new people. So I’m really looking forward to working with composers on exciting new pieces and to promote new music for the harp!”
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“I'm Erica, and I'm a harpist and clarinettist based in Worcestershire. I'm usually running up the miles on my car driving all over the Midlands and beyond to teach and perform. I'm the principal harpist for The Mahler Players, and enjoy freelancing with other ensembles. I'm so pleased to be involved with the PoppyHarp Composers' Project again, having been involved since the first "Future Blend" concert. I love performing new works, and some of the previous pieces I've worked on are still being presented in concert programmes years later.”
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Sophie is a performer, programmer and curator with a passion for bringing brand new music to the forefront in both public and community settings. Sophie’s personal highlights have included being featured as a soloist on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’, being one of the United Kingdom Harp Association’s Emerging Artists 2020, reaching the quarterfinals of the Dutch International ‘World Harp Competition’ 2022, and showcasing her critically acclaimed show, ‘Notes from Shetland to Shanghai,’ at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity in Canada and the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase.
This year Sophie has been touring Scotland with her clarsach trio, The Willow Trio. With funding from Creative Scotland, they created ‘The Swan of Salen’, a Scottish multimedia adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Additionally, as the founder of the hugely successful concert series, Sophie is currently programming the third season of ‘Music at the Green’ a genre defying showcase based in Glasgow’s West End. Sophie is currently working on her new programme, 21st Century Harp and is delighted to be back working with composers on new music! |
Becki performs as a soloist and chamber musician, specialising in contemporary classical music and improvisation. She is currently exploring the use of electronics with the harp to create a new portfolio of sounds and pieces.
Becki enjoys working alongside composers to develop new music for the harp and inspire new audiences. Standout experiences include: performing the work of Tansy Davies at The Wigmore Hall and premiering Amir Konjani’s Anima Projection. Passionate to see music impact lives with hope and joy, Becki currently performs with Epiphany Music and has previously worked with Streetwise Opera, and Music Action International. |
Lucy’s work ranges from solo recitals to appearing on ITV’s Victoria and performing with professional orchestras such as the Hallé and Royal Northern Sinfonia.
She is passionate about evolving new styles of harp playing that transcend genre and bring the instrument to new audiences. Her experimental ensemble, SHOAL, has created new music for Channel 4, Hull City of Culture and New Music North West Festival and her collaboration with Carnatic singer, Supriya Nagarajan, exploring South Indian rags and electronics has led to performances at The Royal Albert Hall, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Jaipur Literature Festival. An enthusiastic teacher, she is currently harp tutor for the Junior RNCM and Transpennine Harps. |
2019Competition Winner: Ruth Lee - Music of the Angels,
performed by Erica Sinclair Adjudicators - Amy Turk and Shelley Fairplay
Thank you to our anonymous sponsor for making this event possible! |
2nd Place - Night Piece by Nadim Jauffur, performed by Rosanna Moore
3rd Place - Elergy Contemplation by Alexandra Coursen, performed by Sophie Rocks Finalists A Winter Landscape by Stephane Cem Kilic, performed by Fran Barsby Sculpture Waltz by Ben Parkinson-Atherton, performed by Sam Rose Well again by Amy Thomson, performed by Rosanna Moore Fjords by Anastasia Vedyakova, performed by Erica Sinclair We are key by David Roche, performed by Sophie Rocks Edge of the earth by Ben Parkinson Atherton, performed by Fran Barsby |
2018Best Collaboration winner:
Prelude of a Harp by Billy Hoggmascall performed by Becki Macllory Adjudicators: Anne Denholm, Edmund Jolliffe & Shelley Fairplay |
Runner Up:
Motto: FESTINA LENTE by Paolo Geminiani, performed by Sophie Rocks Dreamers’ Circus by Ailie Robertson, performed by Rosanna Moore Love in Idleness by Alison Willis, performed by Fran Barsby The Sky Burst by Angela Slater, performed by Rosanna Moore Finalists Dwarf Columbine by Amos Wong, performed by Amy Turk Blue by Antonio Bonazzo, performed by Fran Barsby Elogium by Felix Ceunen, performed by Alexander Rider Metamorphosis and Resonances by Hugo Vasco Reis, performed by Becki Mcllroy From afar by Meng Wang, performed by Lucy Nolan Klipspringer by Harm Roche van Tiddens, performed by Erica Sinclair ...the end of snow is nirvana by Sam Wu, performed by Fran Barsby Koto by Paul Cowell, performed by Camilla Pay Diary of a Lost Girl by Argyro Koliogiorgi, performed by Alexander Rider Obake by Jean-Patrick Besingrand, performed by Erica Sinclair If Eros Laughs by Bernard Hughes, performed by Amy Turk A Winter Landscape by Stéphane Cem Kiliç performed by Fran Barsby |
2017Competition Winner:
Ivory by Anthony Green, performed by Olivia Jageurs Adjudicators: Amy Turk and Catherine White Thank you to our sponsors: Anonymous and Kimichi School for making this event possible! |
Finalists:
The Awakening by Claudio Passilongo, performed by Fran Barsby Tiento y Toccata by Mauricio Cristales Armas, performed by Fran Barsby NESHAMA by Alexandra Coursen, performed by Olivia Jageurs In a Minor Groove by Rob Siebert, performed by Natasha Gale Resonances by Rob Crehan, performed by Kinga Was Pop Suite by Carlos Dos Santos performed by Vera Khait It was snowing butterflies by Nathan James Dearden, performed by Sophie Rocks Hybrid States by Zoran Scekic, performed by Vera Khait Ivory by Anthony Green, performed by Olivia Jageurs Haiku for Calumet Street by Arthur Keegan-Bole, performed by Sophie Rocks Suite pour Harpe by Louis Sauter, performed by Rita Schindler The Child at Sunset by Ben Yee-Paulson, performed by Erica Sinclair Cyber Lullaby by Stanislav Fridman, performed by Erica Sinclair |
2016Thank you to the UKHA for sponsoring this years event.
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Finalists:
Charge of the Light Brigade by Ben Parkinson-Atherton, performed by Kinga The Craft of fastening... by Kirsty Devaney, performed by Vera Khait Star Cluster by Kirsty Devaney, performed by Eleanor Turner Unprepared by Sam James, performed by Eleanor Turner Your Pie-fect by Rob Jones, performed by Vera Khait Water Dance by Ben Weatherill, performed by Fran Barsby Fragility by Leon Haxby, performed by Rita Schindler I'd like to send this to England please by Rosie Clements, performed by Rita Schindler La Belle Noiseuse by Dominic Sewell, performed by Amy Turk Relentless Thought by Yfat Soul Zisso, performed by Erica Sinclair A new song by Segan Akinola, performed by Eleanor Turner Des by Ryan Probert, performed by Rita Schindler Study for Amplified harp by Yfat Soul Zisso, performed by Erica Sinclair The Gates of Westbrook House by Patrick Ellis, performed by Kinga Was |
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PoppyHarp is run by harpist Fran Barsby.
Location: West Sussex Copyright 'PoppyHarp' April 2017
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