To US.S..S… is proving to be a very popular piece – it has just received a Special Prize in the 3rd Ise-Shima International Composition Competition, Japan. There were quite a few pieces that received a Special Prize this year – but from 411 submissions, I’m very proud to have been one of them. I’m equally proud to – once again – share a space with my friend and colleague Joao Pedro Oliveira (and one of my favourite composers) who received a Special Prize for his work Abyssus Ascendens ad Aeternum Splendorem.