The winners of the 2008 British Composer Awards were announced on Tuesday 2 December 2008 in a ceremony hosted by the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters at the Law Society, London.

Now in its sixth year, the Awards are sponsored annually by the Performing Right Society (PRS), and are run in association with BBC Radio 3. This year the key-note comments at the Awards were given by well-known composer/producer Nitin Sawhney who also presented the winners with their awards.

Sarah Rodgers, Concert Chair of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters, comments: “Once again, the British Composer Awards have reviewed a great swathe of new contemporary music and highlighted what the judges have identified as the most exciting and ear-catching work on offer. It is a dynamic time for British composition and we are immensely proud to be supporting composers in this way."

Roger Wright, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Director of the BBC Proms, says:
“We are delighted to be associated with the British Composer Awards for the sixth year running. The Academy has made real strides in highlighting the richness and diversity of composition in this country, a scene which BBC Radio 3 uniquely supports with broadcasts and performances, and as the world’s most significant commissioner of new music. It is exciting to see the range and quality of the work of British composers celebrated by these Awards. In particular the work of young composers gives real hope for the continuing strength of the classical new music scene in the UK.”

2008 British Composer Awards winning works and composers are:

Chamber
Joe Cutler - Folk Music

Choral
Michael Zev Gordon - This Night

Community or Educational Project
No Award

Instrumental Solo or Duo *
Judith Bingham - Fantasia (from The Lost Works of Paganini)

International Award
Elliott Carter - Three Illusions for Orchestra

Liturgical
James MacMillan - 4 Motets from “The Strathclyde Motets”

Making Music Award
John Holland - Green Sky

Orchestral
Luke Bedford - Wreathe

Sonic Art **
Janek Schaefer - Extended Play

Stage Works
Jonathan Dove - The Adventures of Pinocchio

Vocal
Howard Skempton - The Moon is Flashing

Wind Band or Brass Band
Adam Gorb - Adrenaline City

* The winner of the Award for Instrumental Solo or Duo will receive £1,000 from the Worshipful Company of Musicians towards a new commission.

** The winner of the Award for Sonic Art will receive £5,000 from the PRS Foundation towards a new commission or towards a project which contributes to the furtherance of the composer's career.