Famed British composer Asteryth Sloane, whose compositions were performed at various concert venues across the UK, has passed away. Sloane was 26 years old at the time of their passing. Sloane’s compositions were well celebrated and performed by some of the biggest ensembles in the UK, including VOCES8, Paraorchestra, BBC Singers and the BBC Concert Orchestra, to name a few.
Asteryth Sloane passes away at 26
The Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Philharmonic Society took to their Instagram accounts to share the news of their passing with the world. Sharing their photo in the post, RNCM wrote, “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that composer and RNCM alum Asteryth Sloane has died at the age of 26.” The post further shared details about their education and degree, and discussed their “unique compositional methods and creativity.”The post further read, “Asteryth’s music is known for its responses to the beauty and fragility of the living Earth, as well as themes of identity and spirituality. Their musicological work explores the power of listening to bring us into more intimate and ethical relationships with sound, as well as the rights of sound and sound sources. More recently, Asteryth trained as a therapist, focusing on interpersonal and healing contexts. We send our sincere condolences to Asteryth’s family and friends.” RPS also posted about her demise, writing, “A blind composer with a unique compositional method and verve, we pay tribute to Asteryth’s creativity, and urge music-lovers to continue listening to and performing Asteryth’s music, ensuring it continues to resound.”
Tributes pour in for Asteryth Sloane
Soon after the news was shared online, many people commented to remember the composer. One social media user commented, “This is devastating news… Asteryth was a wonderful friend and musician, a sensitive and mindful artist, an inspiration to all of us who got to know them. Sending love to their family and friends,” while another person shared, “I remember when we were both in first year and seeing their (incredible) work, talking to them really helped me build my confidence as a composer. Really devastating news, sending my thoughts to everyone else affected by this.”A third person also commented, “The world has suffered such a loss. I worked quite closely with Asteryth throughout my master’s and got to know them through their musical thoughts and ventures. Very special bean whose music will live on,” while another netizen mentioned that, “Can’t begin to say how much this bites. Asteryth was a rare kind of person; kind to a fault, deeply caring, thoughtful… A great musical talent and passionate therapist.”
Asteryth Sloane was a revered name in the industry and was well known for many of their award-winning compositions. (Instagram)
One of her mentors, Tom Coult, also remembered working with her and posted a comment that read, “I taught Asteryth when they were on the Britten Sinfonia young composers scheme as a teenager. An incredibly poetic, thoughtful, sincere mind, overflowing with ideas and beauty. Desperately sad.”
Tom Coult, one of her former mentors, also reached out in the comment section and opened up about how great it was to have worked with Sloane. (Instagram)
More about composer Asteryth Sloane
The musician was well known for their award-winning compositions, and despite having been blinded at the age of two, held on to a quite successful career. Sloane had won many accolades for their work, including the Cambridge Young Composer of the Year Competition in 2016, the senior category of the BBC Proms Inspire Young Composers’ Competition in 2018 for their piece ‘Elegy for Aylan’, as well as a commission from the Royal Philharmonic Society to mark Classic FM’s 25th birthday.Their compositions often explored themes of the environment, spirituality, philosophy, and personal identity. Beyond their musical prowess, Sloane had also ventured into other streams and was a known researcher and a psychotherapist.They completed their Bachelor of Music (Composition) with first-class honours, and also had a Master’s in Composition and Musicology with distinction. Sloane also held an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Keele University and was a registered PHD researcher in Poetry and Ecolinguistics at the University of Gloucestershire.
