Templar raises the roof with Jack Pepper's musical exploration

Bonnier Books UK's Templar will publish Raising the Roof: The Colourful Characters of Classical Music by composer Jack Pepper.

Senior commissioning editor Joanna McInerney and assistant editor Lydia Watson acquired world all language rights from Oscar Janson-Smith at Kruger Cowne. The title will publish in paperback in July 2022.

Raising the Roof will aim to make classical music more accessible to young people by giving a "humorous, informative and fascinating" insight into classical music and composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Stravinsky. The book will also discuss some "overlooked" composers, including Margaret Hubicki and Florence Price.

McInerney said: "We are delighted to welcome Jack to the Templar list. Not only is he an incredibly talented individual, but his passion for classical music is infectious. Jack’s enthusiasm, knowledge and humour is guaranteed to excite readers, and it is our hope that this book may inspire the next generation of musicians."

Pepper commented: "I'm very lucky to experience the classical world day in, day out—both as a composer working with orchestras, and as a classical music radio presenter interviewing performers and writers. I'm really excited to have another outlet to share this amazing world with a whole new generation—classical music is for everyone!"

Pepper is 21 and has composed for the Royal Opera House, the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM. He is also an ambassador for the national charity, Music for Youth.