| Information: |
Shortly after Geoff was born (Colwyn Bay, 28.06.1947), his mother mentioned to the midwife that she would like her baby to be musical! The midwife duly suggested placing the child near a radio set, switching on the radio and leaving the room – any screams to be ignored…the mother got her musical child, but also one petrified of sudden loud noises, ranging from hoovers to steam-trains and fireworks!
The programme in question was probably Housewife’s Choice – not the most ethereal musically, but it might explain the wide range of Geoff’s taste. (He has also recently learned that his paternal grandfather was a professional musician, but not what the instrument of his profession was!)
A strong urge to compose first exhibited itself at the age of eight, and by the age of eighteen Geoff had completed 18 piano sonatas. He went on to study music at the Birmingham Conservatoire and at Goldsmith’s College, London.
Since then, he has composed a symphony, a piano concerto, chamber works, songs, choral settings and stage works.
In 1986 Geoff was a finalist in the Barclaycard Composer of the Year competition, with his 2nd Clarinet Rhapsody.
Geoff has spent the best part of his life teaching music and drama, and has written several musicals for schools. Since his move to Scotland in 1995 with his wife and 3 children, the latent Celtic qualities in Geoff’s music have become more overt, as exhibited by commissions such as the nonet entitled "The Lost Dances of Shinagag". His Scottish blood derives from the clan of the "Black Comyn", who fell foul of Robert the Bruce.
Having just completed a Master of Arts Degree in Film Music, Geoff is now studying for a PhD in Composition at Leeds University. He currently lives in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, with his family, following the closure of Croftinloan Preparatory School in Pitlochry, Perthshire, July 2000.
|