Press Story
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) today announces the appointment of internationally acclaimed composer Anna Clyne as Composer in Residence for the upcoming 2026-27 Season.
This appointment continues the CBSO’s commitment to championing living composers at the heart of its artistic programming - embedding new music across concerts, recordings, education and community activity in Birmingham and beyond.
CBSO Chief Executive, Emma Stenning, said:
“Appointing Anna Clyne as our Composer in Residence for the next season reflects our ambition to place today’s most compelling musical voices at the centre of our artistic life. Anna’s music is immediate, emotionally direct and unafraid to engage with the world around us, and her residency will not only shape our concert programmes but deepen our connections with young people, communities and audiences.”
GRAMMY-nominated and Ivor Novello Award-winning composer, Anna Clyne, is one of today’s most in-demand composers. Her residency with the CBSO will place her music at the heart of the 2026-27 season, including major symphonic performances, a world premiere commission and a significant new recording project.
Concert highlights include Restless Oceans in a programme conducted by CBSO Music Director Kazuki Yamada in September 2026, as well as her acclaimed Saxophone Concerto, Glasslands, performed by CBSO Collaborative Artist Jess Gillam under the baton of Alpesh Chauhan, with a Decca recording of the work forming part of the project.
In March 2027, the CBSO will give the world premiere of Clyne’s new Viola Concerto – Resonant Forms – co-commissioned by the orchestra for Lawrence Power. Her piece Night Ferry will also be performed as part of the CBSO’s Halloween themed Family Concert in October.
Clyne’s residency will extend beyond the concert platform, with collaborations including a project with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, educational visits to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Shireland CBSO Academy, and involvement in the CBSO’s Orchestral Residency Scheme with young musicians in July 2027, featuring her work PALETTE – a concerto for Augmented Orchestra.
Anna Clyne commented:
“I am honoured to join the CBSO as Composer in Residence. This incredible orchestra has long been a beacon of musical excellence and innovation, and I’m excited to contribute my voice to this vibrant artistic community. Through this collaboration, I look forward to exploring new musical landscapes, connecting with the musicians, and sharing experiences with the audience. This residency is an inspiring opportunity to push boundaries and deepen my connection with the rich tradition of orchestral music.”
This residency builds on the CBSO’s recent strengthening of its artistic leadership and collaborative network, including major new appointments announced in October 2025.
The full 2026-27 Season will be announced by the CBSO on Tuesday 5 May 2026.
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