BIOGRAPHY
I
was born and educated in Doncaster. At 18 I went on to study Oboe at the
Royal College of Music with Sidney Sutcliffe. During my student days, I
was Principal Oboe with the British Youth Symphony Orchestra. On
completion of my 4 years at the Royal College I, initially, went on to
pursue a freelance career. This involved work with the Royal Ballet
Touring Company, the International Orchestra of the Cyprus Music
Workshop, one year as Sub-Principal Oboe with the National Symphony
Orchestra of Iceland and oboist with the Arradon Ensemble, a chamber
group directed by Brian Ferneyhough, specializing in 20th
Century repertoire.
I then decided on a slight change of direction turning my attention more
towards composition as well as taking a one-year course in instrumental
teaching at Bretton Hall College. This led to a post in the Instrumental
Teaching Service in Berkshire. Since that time I have continued to be
active in all aspects of music, notably as oboist with Collage Chamber
Ensemble (Flute, Oboe, ‘Cello & Harpsichord) with whom I performed and
broadcast regularly throughout the UK and Europe. It was with Collage
that my composition was given a platform as I wrote many pieces for the
group. Collage had a wide and varied repertoire ranging from Baroque
Trio Sonatas to the avant-garde. In addition to my own work, Collage
commissioned pieces from composers such as Robert Saxton, Anthony
Powers, Jonathan Lloyd and Jonty Harrison.
As a composer I have received many commissions for a whole range of
pieces, from children’s musicals to full symphonic works. My works have
been performed in such venues as the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell
Room, St. John’s Smith Square, the Festival Hall and the Fairfield Halls
as well as having been broadcast both in this country and abroad. As a
member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, I have been
invited on three occasions to serve as a juror for the British Composer
Awards.
Recent compositions include “Lucy and the Windmill” – Flute, Oboe &
Piano (Uckfield Festival), "Lewes Pictures" - Symphony Orchestra
(South Downs Youth Orchestra), “Midwinter” - Flute, Oboe & Clarinet (New
Music Brighton) and “SPLASH!” - Flute, Oboe & Viola (Gala Concert for
Water Aid). I have recently completed a new book of oboe music for
players of Grade 3-5 standard, “Forging Ahead on the Oboe”. Details of
this book can be found
HERE.
As a teacher I have held senior positions in Berkshire (Assistant
Director, South Berkshire Music Centre), East Sussex (Director,
Crowborough Area Music Centre) and West Sussex (Head, Crawley Area Music
Centre).
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