Competition to name Titanic concerto in honour of Colne's bandmaster

Pendle composer, Peter Young, from Earby, was inspired to create the piece by the bravery of Colne's Wallace Hartley.

Wallace was a violinist and the bandmaster on the ill fated liner.

He and his band played on whilst the Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland in April 1912.

Peter said: "Many people have been moved by Wallace's bravery in keeping up the spirits of passengers and crew during the Titanic's final two hours.

"As a musician, I feel honoured to compose a piece specially about Colne's famous son, who died so tragically, so young.

"I felt inspired by his life and bravery to compose the piece, but haven't yet given it a fitting title."

That's why Pendle Council is asking people around the world to help find a name.

The Council is co-ordinating a whole Festival of events for the Titanic Centenary.

Vaughan Jones, Tourism and Community Initiatives Manager explained:

"It's a more serious and moving competition than 'name that tune'. This gives people the chance to name a lasting tribute to Colne's Titanic hero."

The person who provides the name for the new concerto will win two free tickets to the concerto's world premiere on Sunday 17 June at Holy Trinity Church Colne.

They will also get a copy of a limited edition Titanic Centenary programme.
Only 2012 copies are being printed.

"Peter Young's unique concerto is in four movements, and the title could be inspired by these and also by the dramatic event which tragically cut short his life," he added.

"You'll need to get inspiration for the title by listening to an excerpt on Pendle Council's youtube channel."

Peter said:

"The final movement is an elegy based on Nearer My God To Thee, the hymn which some survivors said was the last music they heard Wallace's band play as the Titanic sank."

To enter, you need to e mail your title along with up to 50 words explaining why you've chosen it to vaughan.jones@pendle.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can send your entry in by post to Vaughan Jones, Economic Development and Tourism, Pendle Borough Council, Elliot House, 9 Market  Square, NELSON, Lancashire, BB9 0LX.

You must give your name and telephone number together with where you are from by 12th March 2012 - a month before the anniversary.

The winner will be announced by 12th April and terms and conditions are available below. Keep an eye on www.pendle.gov.uk and our tourism website www.visitpendle.com for more details about the Titanic Festival.

Terms and conditions for competition

• The competition is open to people of all ages, anywhere in the world.
• Entrants will need to supply a title for the concerto and up to 50 words explaining why they have chosen that title.
• Entrants must give their name, telephone number and email address and say where they are from
• Entries must be written in English.
• Please e mail entries to Vaughan.jones@pendle.gov.uk or by post to Vaughan Jones, Economic Development and Tourism, Pendle Borough Council, Elliot House, 9 Market  Square, NELSON, Lancashire, BB9 0LX by 12 March 2012.
• In the event of a tie-breaker, the composer will draw a name out of a hat.
• The winner will be given two free tickets to the concert and will need to pay for and organise their own transport to the event. If they live further away, the winner will also need to arrange and pay for their own accommodation.
• No alternative prize will be given. However, if a winner is unable to attend the concert for any reason - an additional two copies of the commemorative programme will be posted to them, as an alternative, making three copies in total.
• The composer, Peter Young, will judge the competition and will choose the winning title for his concerto.
• The deadline for the competition is 12 March 2012 and the winner will be announced in early April 2012 before the Titanic anniversary on 12 April.
• The winner must agree to be named in connection with publicity about the concert and the competition.
• The winner must agree to be featured in a photograph at the concert with the composer Peter Young if they are able to attend the concert.
• The judge's decision is final .No correspondence will be entered into about the competition.