 PeopleMichael NorrisMichael Norris (b.1934) studied music theory, bassoon and composition at Trinity College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1962 he moved to Scotland, to play bassoon with the BBC Scottish Variety Orchestra 1962–1966, and with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 1966–1986. He resumed studies at the University of Glasgow in 1986, graduating with B.Mus. in 1990. He accepted an invitation to join the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama academic staff to teach music theory 1990–1999. As a composer he has written works for different genres, including youth opera, orchestra, concert wind-band and brass band, vocal music, chamber and electronic music. Current Works on Our CatalogueMalcolm PearceMalcolm Pearce received his early musical training as a Quirister at Winchester College. He studied at King’s College, London and the Royal College of Music, winning the Walford Davies prize for organ performance in his final year. He was a founder member of the unique youth choir and orchestra Gli Amici della Musica in his home town of Bournemouth and has since directed various choirs and orchestras, as well as being in demand as recitalist, accompanist, continuo player and consort singer. He was Director of Music at Magdalen College School, Oxford for over 26 years, a rôle from which he recently stepped down in order to develop his interests in organ performing, accompanying and composition. Current performing projects include Musical Banquet, a trio specialising in the Jacobean and Restoration song repertoire, and a percussion and organ duo. As a composer he has undertaken commissions from a number of choral societies and other organisations (such as the St Alban’s International Organ Festival and the Cookham Festival) and his work has been recorded and broadcast on Radio 3. Recent commissions have included the Fantasy-Partita for organ (2005) for the restored historic organ at St. Botolph-without-Aldgate in the City of London. He has a growing list of musical topics on which he lectures for local branches of the National Trust, and has led workshops on various musical subjects. An enthusiastic player of the baritone saxophone and Northumbrian smallpipes, he is probably the only professional musician ever to have had published a book on the trolleybuses of his native town. Current Works on Our CatalogueJohn FrithJohn Frith was born in Hampshire, England, and has had a lifelong love of music. His professional training began at Dartington College of Arts where he studied composition with Richard Hall. He continued his musical education at The Guildhall School of Music, where he studied horn with Anthony Halstead and composition with Edmund Rubbra, winning the Brass and School Composition Prizes in 1970 and 1971. Having combined professional horn playing with teaching for some years, John now lives in the West Midlands, England. He recently retired from Worcestershire Youth Music where he had the dual role of Brass Teacher and Composer in Residence in county schools, developing creative projects with young children. John has written extensively for wind, brass, strings and voices and has published many pieces for various combinations of instruments including large orchestral pieces, some of which have been both professional recorded and broadcast by the BBC. Current Works on Our Catalogue |
