The University of St Andrews Music Centre has appointed Professor Piers Hellawell as Honorary Professor of Composition. Piers is Professor of Composition in the School of Arts, English, and Languages at Queen’s University Belfast, where he has taught since 1981. He is published by Edition Peters (London), and had recordings on the ECM (New Series, NMC and Metier labels, as well as three monograph discs on the Metronome label and two on Delphian. His work has been commissioned, broadcast, and performed in many countries.  

 Professor Hellawell will join a team of seven other Honorary Professors at the Music Centre. As part of his role at the Music Centre, Piers will advance compositional activity both artistically and pedagogically, and will be the first person dedicated to composition in the Music Centre for several decades. In addition to supporting Music Centre staff with his expertise, Piers will also give public talks, masterclasses, and co-curate the St Andrews New Music Week.  

Professor Hellawell’s Memorial Cairns will be performed by the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra conducted by Michael Downes on 1 October at 16.30, at the Holy Trinity Church. Students will also have the to work with Piers on 30 September both in rehearsals and during a composition workshop, which will focus on the challenges of composing for a duo of flute and viola. Participants in the workshop will have their works read by Scott Dickinson and Susan Franks during the 2024 St Andrews New Music Week.