Piano Circus have had an association with Brunel University since 2004. This has enabled the group to rehearse and prepare for performances from a studio base, as well as giving them the opportunity to work with postgraduate composition students through workshops and involving them in Calls for works.
They have also been able to develop and expand their relationships working with resident composers such as Colin Riley and Peter Wiegold and invited guest composers such as Graham Fitkin, Philip Mead, Lynne Plowman, Andrew Morgan and Philippe Kocher. In 2010 they are involved in PhD projects leading to performance and ongoing input into the level 2 composition module.
In 2010 piano circus celebrated their 20th anniversary with the 20in09 festival, supported by Arts Council England and PRS Foundation for New Music. Within the festival they curated two events in partnership with Brunel, introducing Errollyn Wallen with Brunel's Jazzbridge for a workshop and performance at Oxford House and Peter Wiegold's notes inégales ensemble at Hoxton Hall. Piano Circus also managed and produced a large-scale education project across schools in Aberdeen and the Highlands for sound festival, joined by Brunel tutor Colin Riley as composer-mentor for student compositions. They are the new 2010 Associate Ensemble for Young Composer of Dyfed.
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