Arlene Sierra has been awarded a 2020 Leverhulme Research Fellowship in support of her project "Orchestral Ecologies," compositional work connected to her new role as Composer-in-Association with the Utah Symphony.
An important component of the project is an upcoming world premiere, Arlene Sierra's much anticipated Bird Symphony, conducted by Music Director Thierry Fischer and scheduled for performances at Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City, in April 2021.
The Leverhulme Research Fellowship will enable Prof. Sierra to undertake a two-year sabbatical from teaching at Cardiff University, allowing concentrated time for composition as well as work on a new recording project with Bridge Records.
Arlene Sierra said, "I am deeply honoured to receive a Research Fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust which will allow me to have two years to devote to symphonic composition and a new orchestral recording project. I am also grateful to colleagues at Cardiff University who have been continual supporters of my work since my appointment in 2004, and who encouraged me to pursue this wonderful opportunity."