'Sussex was the making of me' says composer as she celebrates award nomination

A music composer who was shortlisted for a prestigious award said Sussex was “the making of her”. Haywards Heath-born composer Amy Bryce was shortlisted for an Ivors Classical Award after being encouraged to follow her passion for music at Warden Park School. She did not win but the nomination represents a huge achievement.

Now, Amy says growing up in the county was crucial due to being taught that “being smart was actually really cool”. Amy, 30, said: “Sussex was the making of me. “Growing up in Sussex has made me who I am today but I have so much to be grateful for.



I wouldn’t be where I am today without the multitude of state funded opportunity that was available to me growing up.” Citing her schoolteachers as big inspirations for her music career, Amy said her English teacher Gemma Mitchell had “taught me that being smart was actually really cool” while Warden Park music teacher Mike Sidebotham would “conveniently ignore” her when she was skipping class to rehearse in the music rooms. Amy won a music scholarship through West Sussex County Council when she wase 11 years old at the end of 2005.

The scholarship allowed her to study at the Junior Royal College of Music until she was 18. Amy, who now lives in London, was nominated for an Ivors Classical Award, the classical equivalent of the Ivor Novello awards, for her piece In Your Hands. Working with London Youth Choirs, Amy said the piece “directly addresses those responsible for cutting arts funding, advocating fiercely and musically for young creative voices”.

Amy was nominated for the Best Community and Participation Composition in Association with ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music. This category celebrated works composed for voluntary, amateur or youth performers or community engagement. The winner of the award was A Children's Guide to Anarchy an Easterhouse Children's Manifesto) composed by Brian Irvine.

This was a collection of seven musical animated video posters, exploring ideas of personal autonomy, kindness and human connectivity from a child's perspective..