|
Robert Steadman (born April 1 1965) is a British composerof classical music who mostly works in a post-minimalist style but also writes lighter music, including musicals, and compositions for educational purposes. He also teaches, writes articles for music education journals, notably Classroom Music.
Background Steadman was born in Chiswick, London and brought up in Basingstoke, Hampshire. He was a pupil at Richard Aldworth School, before studying on the Pre-Professional Music Course at Cricklade College, Andover. In 1984 he gained an Associate of the Royal College of Music (A.R.C.M.) in tuba. He read music at Keble College, Oxford, graduating in 1986. During his time at Oxford, Steadman was the musical director of many shows and, notably, became President of the Oxford Revue working with Armando Iannucci and John Sparkes. In 1995, Steadman moved to Nottinghamshire and, following his marriage to Tracy Fudge in 2000, he moved to Matlock, Derbyshire in 2001. They have one son and one daughter. Steadman currently teaches at Lady Manners School, Bakewell whilst also working for the City of Nottingham LEA. Steadman has written several compositions specifically to raise awareness of political and social issues * and to raise funds for charitable organisations. Some of the pieces have been offered as downloads over the internet in return for a charitable donation.*. Compositions While much of his output has been written for amateurs and young musicians he has also written several pieces of music for the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, for the London Brass Virtuosi, for saxophonist Sarah Field and for the East of England Orchestra (now Sinfonia Viva!). He has written three symphonies and two operas, but is best known for his choral compositions. He has also written many chamber music pieces, including those for the Holywell Ensemble. One of his anthems was used at the memorial service for the Dunblane Massacre. He even branched out into radio jingles and wrote a song for the BBC Radio One DJ, Chris Evans. Steadman uses strong rhythms and broad melodies. He has been stylistically compared to Michael Nyman and Mike Oldfield. Symphonies and other orchestral music Steadman has also arranged a number of folk songs for orchestra, including She Moves Through the Fair, Simple Gifts and In Dulci Fidelis (a combination of O Come All Ye Faithful and In Dulci Jubilo). Operas and musicals Steadman also wrote a mini-opera for children, The Travelling Circus, which was commissioned by the West Oxfordshire Arts Association; it lasts just twelve minutes. As well as the music for a number of plays and dance productions, Steadman has written two musicals with writers Paul and Sharon Sansom. Choral music Chamber music Steadman has written a very wide range of chamber music including: Wind band music The Millennium Amongst a number of commissions by a variety of performers to mark the Millennium, Steadman was commissioned to compose two pieces which were performed in the Millennium Dome. Conducting Steadman has, naturally, conducted many performances of his own works but also Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, and much orchestral music. He has particularly worked with many youth music organisations including the Oxford Youth Band and Nottingham Music School Orchestra. In November 2005, after leading the Lady Manners School Orchestra to victory at The National Festival of Music for Youth, he conducted the orchestra at the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Steadman has also been Musical Director for many musicals and shows including productions of The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Carol, The Pied Piper, Grease, West Side Story and Marat/Sade. Discography | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||
 |
|
| |