Gavin Higgins named the inaugural Associate Composer of the Three Choirs Festival
The Three Choirs Festival announces Gavin Higgins as its inaugural Associate Composer, marking the launch of a major composer development programme, and continuing the festival’s long-standing commitment to new music. This three-year residency deepens the festival’s historic ties with living composers, placing long-term creative collaboration at the heart of its programming in the lead-up to its 300th edition in 2028.
Gavin’s first commission as Associate Composer, a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, will be premiered at the 2026 Festival in Gloucester, the city of his birth. The work will be premiered by the combined three cathedral choirs of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester at Choral Evensong on Wednesday 29 July, and will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3
Speaking of the appointment, CEO David Francis says, “Speaking on behalf of the Artistic Directors and team at the Three Choirs Festival, we are really excited that Gavin Higgins – who has strong local connections - has accepted our invitation to become our Associate Composer – the first of this new initiative. Over the years our festival has created deep and lasting connections between composers and festival audiences, and this Association will continue that incredible legacy. This Association is rooted in the notion that deep relationships result in stronger and more enduring artistic outcomes, which has got to be good for the composer, the artform and audiences. We are really looking forward to working with Gavin over the next three years, and to the creative results of this residency.”
Gavin Higgins, comments, “I am absolutely thrilled to be announced as the Three Choirs Festival inaugural Associate Composer. I was born in Gloucester and grew up in the area and so the chance to come back home and share my music with the amazing audiences Three Choirs attracts feels very special indeed. I'm looking forward immensely to immersing myself within the festival, and introducing some old and new works to audiences over the coming years. I can't wait to get stuck in - it's going to be very exciting!”
You can find more details here: Three Choirs Festival
