Composer profile

INFLUENCES

Stephen Sondheim never let his audience down.  He was a complex and intelligent writer who respects his audience and yet was able to express his ideas through catchy and seductive music.  

Stylistically I am very open minded, and can appreciate good opera (vintage and new) as well as the classic Broadway oeuvre.  I think as a writer for the theatre we should distil these influences and give them new life in new musical work.  Also we should try and incorporate the musical vernacular of our contemporary and younger audience.  Many great composers have mined the popular styles of their day in the service of creating serious pieces.

EDUCATION

I completed a combined honours degree in music and drama at Birmingham University, followed by an MMus degree in composition at Goldsmiths’ College, London, where I studied with Stanley Glasser. After qualifying as a teacher at Cambridge University, I took the opportunity as an educator to write works mainly for children such as The Lost Drummer,  (published in the Piano Professional magazine).  Other works include A Bigger Splash for full orchestra, (inspired by Hockney's picture) ,which was premiered at St John’s Smith Square in 2003, and En su Llama Mortal  for choir at Southwark Cathedral.