Lillie stays composed on classic night

A composition by a former Kent College music scholar received its world premiere in a performance by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Lillie Harris’s work, Remiscipate, took the classical music world by storm when it made its debut during the orchestra’s climax to its season.

The 22-year-old’s composition was performed alongside Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Strauss’s Four Last Songs under the baton of the orchestra’s musical director Peter Oundjian – first at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and then at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall the next night.

Called Ode to Joy, the concert was also streamed live in collaboration with Classic FM as part of the orchestra’s 125th-anniversary celebrations.

Lillie, who is finishing her final year of studying composition at the Royal College of Music, said: “I was blown away by the musicality and virtuosity shown by every single player on stage at the Usher Hall. The RSNO are a formidable force.

“And the fact that I got to hear the following night as well means that I am a very spoiled lady. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”

Lillie’s work was chosen when she entered the Royal Scottish National Orchestra scheme for emerging composers in which they write for and work with the orchestra.

She was one of five chosen for the scheme and then had Remiscipate chosen for the performance. It was inspired by the demolition of Glasgow’s Red Road Flats, once the tallest buildings in western Europe.

After the performance of her dramatic work on Friday evening, Lillie was invited on to the stage, where she received rapturous applause.

She is among a number of Kent College pupils who have gone on to study music at one of the UK’S leading conservatoires. This year two pupils have won places at the Royal Northern and Royal Colleges of Music.