Deirdre Gribbin, winner of the 1998 New Music for Sligo composers' competition and currently Northern Arts Composing Fellow at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been appointed associate composer of the Orchestra of St John's, Smith Square in London writes Michael Dervan. During the three years of the association, the orchestra plans to commission "at least" four new works from her - a youth opera, a work for chamber ensemble, a chamber orchestral piece and a concerto. She will also become involved in the orchestra's education and outreach work.