Shirley Thompson

Shirley Joy Thompson (born 7 January 1958) is an English composer, conductor, and violinist of Jamaican descent. Her output as a composer encompasses symphonies, ballets, operas, concertos, and other works for ensembles, as well as music for TV, film, and theatre. Her New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony was composed in 2002 and debuted in 2004. Also an academic, she is currently Professor of Music at the University of Westminster. In the 2019 New Year Honours she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music.

Early years and education Shirley Thompson was born in London, UK, of Jamaican parents. Her early musical experience included playing the violin in various youth symphony orchestras in London, and choral singing with local choirs in Newham. She graduated in music from Liverpool University and in composition from Goldsmiths' College after studying with Professor Stanley Glasser.

Career After university, Thompson composed a body of solo and instrumental ensemble works for concert hall as well as working as a freelance composer of music for TV, films, and the theatre. to celebrate one thousand years of London's history.

Alongside Andy Cowton and Carlos Montoya, Thompson co-scored the award-winning ballet PUSH, which premiered in 2005 and has since toured the world in major and prestigious venues, among them: Sadler's Wells, the London Coliseum, New York City Center and the Sydney Opera House. Theater Heilbronn, Germany; Athens Arena, Greece; Opéra de Lyon, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, France; Teatro Comunale Modena (Modena), Teatro degli Arcimboldi (Milan), and Teatro di San Carlo (Naples), Italy; Teatro Real, Madrid, Spain; and Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia.

In 2007, Thompson was commissioned to compose music for the opening of the Parliamentary exhibition The British Slave Trade: Abolition, Parliament and People, which marked the 250-year anniversary of legislation for the abolition of the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people. Spirit of the Middle Passage for three solo singers, spoken-word artist and chamber orchestra The work featured three heroines: Nanny of the Maroons, Dido Elizabeth Belle, and The Woman Who Refused To Dance (on a ship with enslaved Africans). Voice of Change for chamber orchestra, solo voices, speaker and video was performed in April 2009 at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, an accolade that would be repeated in subsequent years, including being listed in the Top 10 for 2018.

On 9 February 2013, extracts from her work Mandela Tales, inspired by the book Nelson Mandela's Favourite African Folk Tales (2002), were included in the programme performed by the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir from Gordonstoun School at the amphitheatre at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

In 2015, her opera Sacred Mountain: Incidents in the Life of Queen Nanny of the Maroons was chosen to open London's Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival.

In April 2016, she was honoured with the Luminary Award (presented to people of Caribbean heritage who have made significant, outstanding contributions on an international scale or have brought to prominence issues that affect the Caribbean region, with previous recipients including Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Cliff, Louise Bennett and Derek Walcott) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Benefit Gala in Toronto, Canada.

In 2018, to mark the 70th anniversary of the landing of the HMT Empire Windrush, the ship that brought one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom, Thompson was commissioned to compose a new anthem, entitled "Psalm to Windrush: for the Brave and Ingenious", which was performed at a special service of thanksgiving held at Westminster Abbey.

On 9 June 2021, her work Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate premiered in a virtual concert performance as part of a collaboration between Chineke! Orchestra and UK charity Christian Aid to highlight the global impact of climate change.

Also in 2021, Thompson's Emanation, a seven-minute work for chamber ensemble, commissioned by Allianz Musical Insurance and composed for BSO Resound, "the world's first professional disabled-led ensemble embedded in a major symphony orchestra", had its world premiere on 17 June at Lighthouse, Poole.

Thompson composed the anthem for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, entitled "Beautiful Game", which was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with community singers.

In 2023, she was announced as one of 12 composers who would each create a brand new piece for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, "personally commissioned" by the King.

Academic work Thompson is Professor of Music at the University of Westminster, She has also given lectures at other institutions, including the Victoria & Albert Museum and on BBC Radio 3.

Filmography Thompson was interviewed as part of the BBC mockumentary series Cunk on Earth.

Honours and awards Thompson has received awards from the following organisations:

Arts Council of England Mannheim Film Festival prize (1990) for Dreaming Rivers Chancellor's Award, University of Westminster (2016/17) Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music (2019 New Year Honours) Coronation Medal, 2023

Works Thompson has composed for opera, orchestra, contemporary dance, TV and film. Selected works include:

New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony (2004) – symphony for orchestra, choir, solo singers, rapper and dhol drummers Push – contemporary ballet (co-scored) Newham Symphony Spectacular Transition Summer Notes Anansi Fantasia Memories in Mind