Shirley Thompson (composer)

{{Infobox person

| pre-nominals =

| name = Shirley Thompson

| post-nominals = OBE

| image =

| image_size =

| birth_name = Shirley Joy Thompson

| birth_place = London, England

| nationality = British

| citizenship = British

| occupation = {{flatlist|*Composer

conductor
violinist
academic}}

| alma_mater = Liverpool University; Goldsmiths' College

| notable_works = New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony

| awards = Top TV Music Theme (1990) for South of the Border

Mannheim Film Festival prize (1990) for Dreaming Rivers

| website = {{URL|http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/}}

}}

{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage= | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxar70FHrxU "Storytelling with the Power of Music – A 21st Century Symphony"], Shirley J. Thompson at TEDxJamaica}}

Shirley Joy Thompson {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}} (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.[http://www.musicunitesjamaica.com/shirley-thompson.html "Dr Shirley J. Thompson FRSA, fHEA Composer"], Music Unites Jamaica Foundation. Her New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony was composed in 2002[http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/4811/ "New Nation Rising, score"], University of Westminster repository. and debuted in 2004. Also an academic, she is currently Professor of Music at the University of Westminster.{{cite web|url=https://blackbritishacademics.co.uk/person/dr-shirley-thompson/|title=Prof Shirley Thompson (UK)|website=Black British Academics|date=9 July 2018|access-date=28 July 2020}} In the 2019 New Year Honours she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music.[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3176662 "Order of the British Empire | Civil Division: Professor Shirley Joy Thompson"], The London Gazette, 29 December 2018.[https://ivorsacademy.com/news/professor-shirley-j-thompson-receives-obe/ "Professor Shirley J. Thompson receives OBE"], The Ivors Academy, 15 April 2019.

Early years and education

Shirley Thompson was born in London, UK, of Jamaican parents.{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/about/|publisher=Shirley J. Thompson website|access-date=2 May 2011}} Her early musical experience included playing the violin in various youth symphony orchestras in London, and choral singing with local choirs in Newham.[http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/company/composers/thompson/ "Shirley Thompson, Composer"], Mariinsky Theatre. She graduated in music from Liverpool University and in composition from Goldsmiths' College after studying with Professor Stanley Glasser.{{cite web|last=Basca|title=Basca – Classical and Jazz Executive|url=http://www.basca.org.uk/about-us/people/classical-and-jazz-executive/|publisher=Basca|access-date=27 April 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905021528/http://www.basca.org.uk/about-us/people/classical-and-jazz-executive/|archivedate=5 September 2011}}

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. She set up the Shirley Thompson Ensemble in 1994 and this became the main vehicle for her instrumental and vocal works that fused contemporary classical orchestrations with popular and world music styles.

Having trained as a television programme maker at the BBC and Carlton Television, Thompson directed the film Memories in Mind, with an award from the Arts Council, which was broadcast by the BBC in 1998.

Thompson began to focus on full orchestral composition with New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony, first performed in 2004 and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra{{cite web|title=Dr Shirley Thompson, Reader in Music|url=http://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/directory/thompson-shirley|publisher=University of Westminster|access-date=6 October 2014}}{{cite web|title=New Nation Rising website|url=http://www.newnationrising.com/|access-date=13 April 2011}} to celebrate one thousand years of London's history. The piece sees the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play alongside two choirs, solo singers, a rapper and dhol drummers. Originally commissioned for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2002, the concept has been described as "a predecessor of the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony".[http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/about/ "Music for HM Queen Elizabeth II"], Shirley J. Thompson.[http://blackbritishacademics.co.uk/staff/dr-shirley-thompson/ "Dr Shirley Thompson, Patron"], Black British Academics.

Alongside Andy Cowton and Carlos Montoya, Thompson co-scored the award-winning{{cite web|title=Sylvie Guillem & Russell Malipant – PUSH|url=http://www.sadlerswells.com/touring/push/|publisher=Sadler's Wells|access-date=13 April 2011}} 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.[http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/about/ "Performances in 38 Opera Houses Worldwide"], Shirley J. Thompson website.

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. The Woman Who Refused to Dance, performed at the launch, is arranged for soprano, spoken-word artist and orchestra.{{cite web|title=Shirley Thompson compositions|url=http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/compositions/|publisher=Shirley J. Thompson|access-date=14 April 2011}}{{cite web|title=University of Westminster research|date=10 November 2007|url=http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/4814/|publisher=University of Westminster|access-date=14 April 2011}} Spirit of the Middle Passage for three solo singers, spoken-word artist and chamber orchestra was performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra in the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the Freedom & Culture International Creative Forum.{{cite web|title=Freedom and Culture Forum Webpage|url=http://www.passageofmusic.org.uk/events/show/50-freedom-and-culture|publisher=Passage of Music|access-date=14 April 2011}} 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).

In 2009, Thompson was commissioned by Southbank Centre to compose a piece to commemorate 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency.{{cite web|title=Obama: 100 days|url=http://www.viewmagazine.tv/Obama_100Days.html|website=View Magazine|first=David Dunkley |last=Gyimah|access-date=14 April 2011}} Voice of Change for chamber orchestra, solo voices, speaker and video was performed in April 2009 at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, with performers including principals of the BBC Concert Orchestra and soloists.

In 2010, Thompson was announced in the Powerlist of Britain's 100 Most Influential Black People 2010,{{cite news|last=Eboda|first=Michael|title=Here they are: 100 role models for black teens|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23749487-here-they-are-100-role-models-for-black-teens.do|work=Evening Standard|location=London|date=14 April 2011}}{{cite web|title=Powerlist 2010|url=http://publishing.yudu.com/A1gmew/PowerList2010/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.powerful-media.com%2F|publisher=Powerful Media|access-date=14 April 2011}} an accolade that would be repeated in subsequent years, including being listed in the Top 10 for 2018.[https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2016/10/25/here-are-the-top-10-most-influential-black-britons/ "Here are the top 10 most influential black Britons"], AOL Newsletter, 25 October 2016.[http://www.powerlist.co.uk/nine "Shirley J Thompson"], Power List, Powerful Media, 2017. Most recently, Thompson has also been included in the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of the list for her continued contribution to music.{{cite news |last1=Lavender |first1=Jane |title=Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-power-list-2021-lewis-23017308 |access-date=19 January 2021 |work=mirror |date=17 November 2020 }}{{cite news |last1=Mills |first1=Kelly-Ann |title=Raheem Sterling joins Meghan and Stormzy in top 100 most influential black Brits |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-powerlist-2020-raheem-sterling-20721033 |access-date=19 January 2021 |work=mirror |date=25 October 2019 }}{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Amber |title=List of 100 most influential black people includes Meghan Markle for first time |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/powerlist-2019-100-most-influential-13459460 |access-date=19 January 2021 |work=mirror |date=23 October 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.[http://www.westminster.ac.uk/cream/news/mandela-tales-by-dr-shirley-thompson-to-feature-in-south-african-concert "'Mandela Tales' by Dr Shirley Thompson to feature in South African Concert"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009123745/http://www.westminster.ac.uk/cream/news/mandela-tales-by-dr-shirley-thompson-to-feature-in-south-african-concert |date=9 October 2014 }}, CREAM News, University of Westminster, 1 February 2013.

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.[http://www.westminster.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/media/2015/westminster-academics-musical-production-to-open-the-worlds-largest-contemporary-opera-festival "Westminster Academic's Musical Production to Open the World's Largest Contemporary Opera Festival"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717002152/http://www.westminster.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/media/2015/westminster-academics-musical-production-to-open-the-worlds-largest-contemporary-opera-festival |date=17 July 2015 }}, University of Westminster, 30 June 2015.Deborah Gabriel, [http://blackbritishacademics.co.uk/2015/06/13/dr-shirley-thompsons-nanny-of-the-maroons-opera-continues-to-diversify-classical-music-performance/ "Dr Shirley Thompson's Nanny of the Maroons Opera Continues to Diversify Classical Music Performance"], Black British Academics, 13 June 2015.[http://www.thebritishblacklist.com/tbb-reviews-shirley-thompsons-sacred-mountain-words-music-opera/ "TBB Reviews Shirley J Thompson’s ‘Sacred Mountain Words & Music’ Opera"], The British Blacklist, 8 August 2015.

In April 2016 she was honoured with the Luminary Award[http://www.uwitorontogala.com/uwi/honourees+.html Honorees], UWI Toronto Benefit Gala, 2016. (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.{{cite web|url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2016/award-winning-composer-dr-shirley-j-thompson-receives-luminary-award |title=Award-Winning Composer Dr Shirley J Thompson Receives Luminary Award|website=News – University of Westminster|date=11 April 2016}}

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.[https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-news/spirit-of-windrush-celebrated-at-westminster-abbey "Spirit of Windrush celebrated at Westminster Abbey"], Westminster Abbey, 22 June 2018.[https://www.keepthefaith.co.uk/2018/08/29/westminster-abbey-celebrates-the-spirit-of-windrush/ "Westminster Abbey celebrates the Spirit of Windrush"], Keep the Faith, 29 August 2018.

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/chineke-christian-aid-climate-emergency-orchestral/|title=Chineke! Orchestra teams up with Christian Aid to highlight the climate emergency|website=Classic FM|date=7 June 2021|access-date=17 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/professor-shirley-thompson-obe-composes-orchestra-music-for-christian-aid-virtual-concert|title=Professor Shirley Thompson OBE composes orchestra music for Christian Aid virtual concert|website=University of Westminster|date=20 May 2021|access-date=17 June 2021}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://bsolive.com/press-releases/bso-resound-calls-for-inclusion-to-remain-centre-stage-as-it-performs-world-premiere-by-shirley-j-thompson/|title=BSO Resound calls for inclusion to remain centre stage as it performs world premiere by Shirley J. Thompson|website=Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra|date=2 June 2021|access-date=17 June 2021}}

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,{{cite news |title=Andrew Lloyd Webber piece among new coronation music |work=BBC News |date=18 February 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64682655 |access-date=20 February 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/the-coronation-royal-music-through-time|title=The Coronation: Royal Music Through Time|first=Jack|last=Pepper|website=Gramophone|date=3 May 2023|access-date=12 October 2023}} "personally commissioned" by the King.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-65137224|title=Coronation: The 'Cinderella story' of Shirley J Thompson|first=Tim|last=Stokes|website=BBC News|date=4 May 2023|access-date=31 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/15/shirley-thompson-how-the-brilliant-black-composer-beat-the-system-that-shut-her-out|title=Shirley Thompson: how the brilliant Black composer beat the system that shut her out|first=Tobi|last=Thomas|newspaper=The Guardian|date=15 November 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tatler.com/gallery/king-charles-iii-12-coronation-composers-who-are-they|title=A who's who of the 12 illustrious composers behind King Charles III's coronation music|first=Hope|last=Coke|website=Tatler|date=24 February 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZjHnTVnTKE|title=Coronation The 'Cinderella story' of Shirley J Thompson|publisher=Broadcast News|date=5 May 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9789/CBP-9789.pdf|title=The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla|first=David|last=Torrance|website=House of Commons Library|date=25 October 2023|access-date=31 December 2023}}

= Academic work =

Thompson is Professor of Music at the University of Westminster, where she has taught since 2001, having held the position of Reader and Head of Composition and Performance.{{cite web|title=Our people|url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/directory/thompson-shirley|publisher=University of Westminster|access-date=11 January 2018}}[https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shirley-j-thompson-18674b4/ "Dr Shirley J. Thompson"] at LinkedIn. She has also given lectures at other institutions, including the Victoria & Albert Museum{{cite web|url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/2015/dr-shirley-j-thompson-to-give-lecture-on-heroines-of-opera |title=Dr Shirley J Thompson to Give Lecture on Heroines of Opera|website=Cream News|publisher=University of Westminster|date=14 April 2015}} and on BBC Radio 3.[https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2017/westminster-s-dr-shirley-j-thompson-to-present-a-lecture-about-florence-beatrice-price-on-bbc-radio-3 "Westminster's Dr Shirley J Thompson to Present a Lecture about Florence Beatrice Price on BBC Radio 3"], News and Events, University of Westminster, 8 February 2017.

= Filmography =

Thompson was interviewed as part of the BBC mockumentary series Cunk on Earth.{{Cite web |title=Professor Shirley Thompson OBE for BBC's Cunk on Earth on the history of music |url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/professor-shirley-thompson-obe-for-bbcs-cunk-on-earth-on-the-history-of-music |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www.westminster.ac.uk |language=en}}

Honours and awards

Thompson has received awards from the following organisations:

Arts Council of England
Southbank Centre Award (2005), for PUSH
Newham Council, Department of Culture
Top TV Music Theme (1990) for South of the Border{{cite web|title=Speakers biographies|url=http://www.musictank.co.uk/resources/speaker-biographies/shirley-thompson-2013-composer-conductor|publisher=Music Tank|access-date=27 April 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120906025333/http://www.musictank.co.uk/resources/speaker-biographies/shirley-thompson-2013-composer-conductor|archivedate=6 September 2012}}
Mannheim Film Festival prize (1990) for Dreaming Rivers
Prized Pieces, for Memories in Mind (1992)
Woman of the Year in the Arts nomination (1997)
Powerlist of Britain's 100 Most Influential Black People (2010–22)Glen Munro, [http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/composer-shirley-makes-her-mark-power-list "Composer Shirley Makes Her Mark On The Power List"], The Voice, 11 November 2017.[https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2017/westminster-s-dr-shirley-j-thompson-named-as-one-of-the-most-inspirational-british-women-of-colour-by-metro-uk "Westminster's Dr Shirley J. Thompson Named as 'One of the Most Inspirational British Women of Colour' by metro UK"], News and Events, University of Westminster, 23 October 2017.[https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/shirley-j-thompson-obe-named-as-one-of-the-top-most-influential-black-people-in-the-uk-on-the "Shirley J. Thompson OBE named as one of the top most influential Black people in the UK on the Powerlist 2021"], University of Westminster, 30 November 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/black-history-year-shirley-j-thompson-obe-named-among-the-most-influential-black-people-in-the-uk-on-the-powerlist-2022|title=Black History Year: Shirley J. Thompson OBE named among the most influential Black people in the UK on the Powerlist 2022|publisher=University of Westminster|access-date=4 April 2022}}
Chancellor's Award, University of Westminster (2016/17)
University of the West Indies (UWI) Luminary Award (2016)
DLitt honorary degree from UWI (2018)[http://www.looptt.com/content/18-receive-honorary-degrees-uwi-graduation-begins "18 to receive honorary degrees as UWI graduation begins"], Loop (Trinidad and Tobago), 13 October 2018.
Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music (2019 New Year Honours){{London Gazette |issue=62507 |date=29 December 2018 |page=N14 |supp=y }}[https://britishmusiccollection.org.uk/composer/shirley-j-thompson "Shirley J. Thompson"], British Music Collection.
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{{cite web|title=Scores catalogue|url=http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/compositions/|publisher=Shirley J. Thompson|access-date=27 April 2011}}
Push – contemporary ballet (co-scored)
The Woman Who Refused to Dance – for solo singer, speaker and orchestra
Spirit of the Middle Passage – for solo singers, speaker and orchestra
Viola Concerto, Oslo Odyssey – for orchestral and electronic instruments and multi-media
100 Days of Barack Obama – for solo voice, instrumental ensemble and video projection
The Lodger – theatrical music
A Child of the Jago – opera
Tapestry Song Cycle – for soprano and instrumental ensemble

Her works have been recorded and issued on CD and DVD, including:

New Nation Rising – A 21st Century Symphony[http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/4811/ "New nation rising: a 21st century symphony"], Westminster Research, 2002.
Newham Symphony Spectacular
Transition
Summer Notes{{cite web|title=Recordings|url=http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com/compositions/|publisher=Shirley J. Thompson|access-date=27 April 2011}}
Anansi Fantasia{{cite web|last=Arts on Film|title=Arts on Film archive|url=http://artsonfilm.wmin.ac.uk/films.php?page=12|publisher=University of Westminster|access-date=27 April 2011}}
Memories in Mind

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.shirleythompsonmusic.com}}
[https://vimeo.com/72230183 "Shirley J. Thompson Music & Sound Design Showreel"]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYHk7Q7zkHg "STM : Groundbreaking composer Shirley Thompson"], Voxafrica UK, 11 March 2013 (video).
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS9l_jmgkWc "Shirley Thompson on This Day Live"], Arise News, 3 June 2014. YouTube video.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzTqBlGfbdk "Prof. Shirley J. Thompson OBE Interview | Identity & Aesthetic: Five British-Caribbean Composers"], Sound and Music, 20 February 2019.
[https://www.jamaicaglobalonline.com/up-close-with-shirley-j-thompson-visionary-artist-and-cultural-activist/ "Up Close With Shirley J. Thompson: Visionary Artist and Cultural Activist"], Jamaica Global, 24 March 2019.
Joel Campbell, [https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/arts-culture/2020/05/12/musical-partnership-to-chronicle-historic-moment/ "Musical partnership to chronicle historic moment"], The Voice, 12 May 2020.
Nikol Chen, [https://laidlawscholars.network/posts/rewriting-history-shirley-thompson-obe?room_id=846-the-good-leader-podcast "Rewriting History – Shirley Thompson OBE"], The Good Leader Podcast, Laidlaw Scholars, 28 July 2020.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=PnPZXYyBW8I "Hess, Roderick Williams, Thompson: Be Thou My Vision, Triptych for Orchestra"]. 6 May 2023