Addressing the 13th annual British Composer Awards, she said: ‘There’s been a steady erosion of arts funding over the years due to an insecurity about the role of music within our society. There’s a problem with our values. We tend to value profit over people.’
She added that recent research showed there are now fewer commissions available to composers and not enough understanding of the time needed to create and rehearse a new work.
‘No matter what side of the house is in government, new music needs to be supported and nurtured in order to grow and remain relevant to our time,’ she said.
The award-winning conductor went on to underline the vital importance of new music within the contemporary classical music movement, saying: ‘For me it carries a more profound position than the canon of classical Western music, and that’s because it’s living.
‘We mustn’t allow this artform to stagnate. Once lost it will be impossible to replace… As a conductor, I believe I have a responsibility to commission, programme and perform new music. There’s just no excuse not to.’
Cottis went on to say that there needs to be more new music taught in schools, with more opportunities and role models for minority groups within the industry. She also said the industry needs to support access to concerts for people from all backgrounds.
‘It’s important we acknowledge that new composers and performers are the agents of change within our communities, as creators, teachers and cultural leaders. You make us think, you open our eyes, you make us see the world in a different way,’ she said.
Cottis is an in-demand conductor, working with the likes of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Southbank Sinfonia and Women of the World Orchestra among others.
In 2014 she was appointed Principal Conductor of the Glasgow New Music Expedition.
The 13th British Composer Awards were presented by the British Academy of Composers, Songwriter and Authors (BASCA) at the British Film Institute, Southbank, London, on 9 December.
For the full list of winners, see http://www.m-magazine.co.uk/news/british-composer-award-winners-revealed/
She added that recent research showed there are now fewer commissions available to composers and not enough understanding of the time needed to create and rehearse a new work.
‘No matter what side of the house is in government, new music needs to be supported and nurtured in order to grow and remain relevant to our time,’ she said.
The award-winning conductor went on to underline the vital importance of new music within the contemporary classical music movement, saying: ‘For me it carries a more profound position than the canon of classical Western music, and that’s because it’s living.
‘We mustn’t allow this artform to stagnate. Once lost it will be impossible to replace… As a conductor, I believe I have a responsibility to commission, programme and perform new music. There’s just no excuse not to.’
Cottis went on to say that there needs to be more new music taught in schools, with more opportunities and role models for minority groups within the industry. She also said the industry needs to support access to concerts for people from all backgrounds.
‘It’s important we acknowledge that new composers and performers are the agents of change within our communities, as creators, teachers and cultural leaders. You make us think, you open our eyes, you make us see the world in a different way,’ she said.
Cottis is an in-demand conductor, working with the likes of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Southbank Sinfonia and Women of the World Orchestra among others.
In 2014 she was appointed Principal Conductor of the Glasgow New Music Expedition.
The 13th British Composer Awards were presented by the British Academy of Composers, Songwriter and Authors (BASCA) at the British Film Institute, Southbank, London, on 9 December.
For the full list of winners, see http://www.m-magazine.co.uk/news/british-composer-award-winners-revealed/
