Category Archives: Piano/Keys

New Postdoctoral position at the University of Southampton

I recently started work as the AHRC Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Composition for Cochlear Implant Users at the University of Southampton.  This exciting job involves helping devise and run workshops, developing a music training program and writing new pieces for CI users.  I’m working in the Music Department, the Institute for Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and the South of England Cochlear Implant Centre (SOECIC) at the University of Southampton.  I’ve been finding my feet for the past few weeks and am really enjoying the work.  You can read some info about the project at the Southampton website.  I’ll keep updating about any new pieces and activities as they come up!

ON AIR: Musarc workshop and performance + recording

I had a brilliant day yesterday working with the Musarc choir at St. Stephen Walbrook Church.  The choir commissioned three composers, Neil Luck, Tom Chant and myself to work with the choir on new pieces.  I wrote a new piece ‘Interplay II’ for choir, piano and live electronics.  The choir were a joy to work with and their director Cathy Heller Jones did an amazing job conducting my piece.  A recording is already available thanks to Joseph Kohlmaier and while I think the electronics could perhaps be louder and further developed I think the piece as a whole is rather effective!

ON AIR: Workshop and Performance at St. Stephen Walbrook, 4pm, 1st July 2010

I am working on a new piece for choir, piano and live electronics which the Musarc choir will workshop and perform at St. Stephen Walbrook on 1st July.  I’m really excited to be working with Musarc and in such a fantastic space!  Please come either to be involved in the workshop or to the concert at 8.30pm.

The Dino Rescue Team – Spitalfields Festival 12th June 2010

My new piece ‘The Dino Rescue Team’ will be performed by the Hackney CYM Red and Yellow Choirs, Oliver Senton (narrator), Mobius String Quartet, Caz Wolfson (percussion) and me (piano) in Shoreditch Church at 2pm this Saturday.  The piece was written as part of HMDT’s PRS Foundation Young Composers’ Scheme.  Tickets are free and it should be great!

An Invite from the Queen

A new music story book/CD, ‘An Invite from the Queen‘ has been released by Hackney Music Development Trust (HMDT).  I was involved in the devising process in my role as one of HMDT’s PRSF Trainee Composers and also played flute, hammond organ and even sang on the CD!  The narration was done by Griff Rhys Jones, the composition by Matthew King and for anyone with little ones or an inner child it is an absolute must!

Robin Grey Album, ‘Strangers with Shoes’

My dear friend and co-swerverite Robin Grey has released his second album, ‘Strangers with Shoes‘, on which I appear on several tracks.  Definitely worth downloading this one – for anyone interested I’m particularly pleased with my Rhodes playing on ‘Ninety Days’!!

Parental advisory on the lyrics to this one…

Congratulations to Robin for another great album release.  This is my favourite track from the album (I’m not on it!), ‘Shakes and Shudders’…

Hidden Lives and Unvisited Tombs – 3.00pm, 5th December

I’ve composed some recorded music and will be improvising live for ‘Hidden lives and Unvisited Tombs‘ at St Pancras Church crypt next Saturday 5th December.  Our performance, which is directed by Rachel Warr, is part of an exhibition and performances put on by Scary Little Girls and will kick off at 3.30.

Recordings of EMFEB Gigs

Couple of recordings from gigs in April – many thanks to the wonderful EMFEB and conductor Ben Ellin.

Colonel Crampon Goes Off – recorded at the Poetry Cafe
Poem written and read by Luke Wright and my musical response played by EMFEB – thanks to Luke for working with me on this:

Colonel Crampon Goes Off by ben_oliver_music

Variations on a Theme by Handel – recorded at the Rosemary Branch Theatre in April

Variations on a Theme by Handel by ben_oliver_music