Prestigious win for city's Nneka; fabled prize goes to multi-talented local composer.

Byline: PATRICK GRAHAM news@liverpool.com @LIVECHONEWS

THE Liverpool Philharmonic has announced Nneka Cummins as its annual Rushworth Composition Prize winner.

Nneka, from Toxteth, won a cash prize through the support of the Rushworth Foundation and a year's complimentary membership of the Ivors Academy, the UK's leading professional association for music creators.

This provides a unique opportunity over a year to develop. Nneka will take part in a programme of workshops, masterclasses and mentoring sessions from composers, performers, conductors and other industry professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic.

In association with the Rushworth Foundation, The Rushworth Composition Prize is open to North Westbased composers (aged 18-plus) who live, work or were born in the North West of England or study at a higher education institution here.

On winning, Nneka said: "Liverpool is where my passion for music was nurtured.

"As a teenager I played in venues as part of Saturday Morning Music Centre's Liverpool Youth Orchestra.

"I'm grateful to Liverpool Philharmonic for this opportunity and very much look forward to working with Ensemble 10/10 (for whom she will write a new work). It's great to be deepening my musical connection to Liverpool."

The Rushworth Foundation, established by Jonathan Rushworth to support music, arts and education in Liverpool, builds on the legacy and heritage of the Rushworth family music business.

Jonathan's great-great-grandfather started it in 1840 as a pipe organ builder, expanding it into a musical instrument maker and dealer.

Peter Garden, executive director, performance and learning at Liverpool Philharmonic, said: "We are thrilled to recognize Nneka's talent with the Rushworth Composition Prize. I look forward to hearing Nneka's work over the coming year."

Nneka began playing the violin (their favourite instrument) in primary school, and by age 14 started to write down music.

Nneka added: "I used the violin to improvise, to come up with my own musical ideas as I found it calming and enjoyable.

"The violin, it's a very beautiful instrument with great versatility. I am more proficient on the violin, I find it more satisfying to play.

"My mum said that I asked for a violin after hearing one on the television and being amazed by the sound."

Inspired by composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, Nneka said: "I really enjoyed the composer, this was likely because his work has a strong English folk song influence.

"I love folk music's often lyrical melodies and decorative ornamentation. Recently, I have been listening to a range of West African folk music, as I have a growing interest in writing pieces that explore the maintenance of groove."

As well as playing violin, Nneka (influenced by jazz being played at home) plays tenor sax and the piano to test out composition ideas, but do not see themselves as a pianist.

For the future Nneka, who is largely self-taught, told the ECHO: "I plan to keep composing and gaining experience on new projects and collaborations. "I'll likely build a portfolio career (multiple things to make money) as it's not the easiest to make a living as a full-time composer."

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News Nneka Cummins has won this year's Rushworth Composition Prize