BASBWE Composition Competition 2025

Purchase your own copy of Silk Road here

We are delighted to announce that Henry Rankin has been named the winner of the BASBWE Composition Competition 2025 with his outstanding work Silk Town.

This exciting new work has been published by Editions Marc Reift and can be purchased directly from BASBWE by using the link below. Copies will also be available from the BASBWE stand at the upcoming National Concert Band Festival at the RNCM in April.

Here is a short preview of the full score and recording:

You can purchase your own full score and set of parts here via the link below.

National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Trade Offer

Valid until 13 April 2026

Enjoy Band Tier membership of BASBWE plus a full set (score and parts) of the winning work from the BASBWE Composition Competition 2025.

Use Promo Code: SILK26 for a 20% discount.
Special price: £144 (normally £180)

From a strong international field of entries, Silk Town stood out for its balance of accessibility, craftsmanship and expressive detail – perfectly reflecting BASBWE’s mission to champion imaginative new music for wind orchestra.

Henry studied at the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music, and works as a composer, arranger and violinist across both concert and media settings. Silk Town was premiered by the Macclesfield Concert Band in 2025 and now enters an exciting new chapter following this award.

We warmly congratulate Henry on this remarkable achievement and look forward to sharing a new recording of Silk Town and news of a publishing deal later this year!

🔗 Find out more about Henry’s work: henryrankin.com

#BASBWE #CompositionCompetition #WindOrchestra #NewMusic #BritishComposers

The adjudication panel described the piece as:

✨ “Very well crafted and enjoyable”
✨ “A rewarding challenge for intermediate-level ensembles”
✨ “A clear, engaging and tuneful score with plenty of depth”

They also praised its distinctly British soundworld, enriched with folk and carol-like touches, alongside vibrant colour and rhythmic vitality.