Leo Geyer (Born 1992) - Secrets in the Oak (world premiere)

The great trees stand tall and wise, competing in the timeless race to reach the sky. The wide trunks covered in dark moss paint the forest green. Straying from the path seduced by the thickening of the trees, to find a place of eerie stillness, with an uneasy mystery hanging in the air. About the composer: Leo Geyer Leo Geyer is on his second year on the Joint Course, studying Composition with Dr. David Horne. Leo has been awarded the SCYM Young Composer 2009, DSO Young Composer Award 2009, Junior Trinity Prize for Composition 2009 and 2010, Finalist of The Friends of the Music of St Giles Cathedral Composition Competition 10, Serenata Winds Composition Competition 2011 and the RNCM Gold Medal Award for Composition 2011. Earlier this year Leo collaborated with the poet Martin Kratz and they were awarded the Rosamund prize for their collaboration. After their success they decided to work together again and have just completed writing a chamber opera - The Mermaid of Zennor, which Leo conducted in the premiere performance at the RNCM on the 10th of December. Leo currently studies conducting with Mark Heron and conducts Manchester University's Orchestras and ensembles. Leo also co-founded the London based student ensemble - the Constella Orchestra and will continue to conduct them in their new year concert.