<<  -- 3 --  Keith Bramich    EXCITED BY MUSIC

Perhaps unusually for an artist still in her 20s, Kathryn runs two composition competitions. The Galliard Ensemble Composition Competition (in its fourth year) is for wind quintet, and The Kathryn Thomas Composition Competition is for flute. 'We were quite overwhelmed last year -- we were inundated with well over 400 scores from all around the world, including some great pieces. It was hard to get through it all, so hence the competitions have become biennial.'

Does Kathryn have any tips for programming all this contemporary music? 'It's important to have a mixture -- give people something that they think they want -- a familiar name -- and some nice tunes -- then they get hopefully a pleasant surprise when they encounter something they wouldn't otherwise hear. I've had people go to concerts for safe choices -- the standard works -- and actually come out enjoying the contemporary piece best, and I think that's great!'

In addition to her solo performances and recordings, Kathryn is a founder member of the Galliard Ensemble Wind Quintet, whose new recording of Sir Harrison Birtwistle's chamber music is due to be released in July.

Kathryn Thomas plays a programme of predominantly French 20th century music at London's Purcell Room on 21 June 2001. In July she features in the Oporto Festival (Portugal), and tours the Nottingham area of the UK for Music in Quiet Places. At the end of August she's featured at the Presteigne Festival in Wales.

Kathryn's CDs are available on the Deux-Elles label, and she is represented by Margaret Murphy Management.