Research Interests
American Minimal Music with a focus on the work of John Adams. Film music with a focus on the silent era.
Education
1998-2004 DPhil Composition York University Supervisor: Roger Marsh
Key Features: A portfolio of compositions and a written commentary: ‘Multilayered rhythmic processes’
1972-74 Master of Fine Arts Mills College, Oakland, California Supervisor: Robert Ashley
Key Features: Electronic Music and the recording media
1968-71 Bachelor of Arts York University
Other Qualifications
2012-13 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Key features: Seminar and small group teaching
Prizes and Awards
2003 ‘Chamber Concerto’ Winner of the special prize in the Luxembourg Sinfonietta’s International Composers Competition.
2006 ‘Eris’ for piano 4 Hands. Joint winner of the Tong Hasegawa composers competition.
2008 ‘A Night in the Palace of Reason’ Winner of the Pierro Peze prize in the Taukay International composers competition.
Publications: Journals and Conference Papers
1985 Contact Magazine 'Tom Johnson in Paris' Review of 'Reserves aux Sopranes' Goldsmiths University Publication.
2016 Tempo No 277 (CUP)
‘Repetition tropes and levels of obliteration in John Adams’s Saxophone Concerto and American Berserk’
2014 Musical Materialities in the Digital Age: Conference at Sussex University: ‘The Performance Film': Conv:Richard Elliot
2011 The Sounds of Early Cinema
Round table discussion with Miguel Mera, Rick Altman and Gillian Anderson. Convenor Julie Brown.
Music Publications
2016 ‘The Triadic Riddles of Water (Rain and Ice)’
Songspin Songbook University of York Music Press
2013 ‘La Jeune Demoiselle’ Piano Solo
LCM publication for Grade 4
2008-9 ‘Piano Trio’ Taukay Editions Musicali (TEM)
‘Cantilena’ TEM
‘A Night in the Palace of Reason’ TEM
‘Three Inventions on JS Bach’s A Musical Offering’ TEM
Discography
2011 ‘The Triadic Riddles of Water (Rain and Ice)’ Songspin,Ensemble Juice, Non Classical label.
2007 ‘A Night in the Palace of Reason’ TEM
2003 ‘Chamber Concerto’ Luxembourg Sinfonietta
1998 ‘Incantation’ Hilliard Ensemble ECM New Series
Broadcasts
2007 ‘La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc’ HarmonieBand and the Hilliard Ensemble. Polish Television.
Film score to Carl Dreyer’s silent classic.
Work Experience: Current
2002- Royal College of Music: professor
L4 Historical Studies: Minimalism. MMus supervisions for spoken presentations. HS and Aural Training seminars.
Chairing and internal panellist for PhD/DMus transfer, final viva voce and Performance exams RCM
2002- Goldsmiths College: Visiting Tutor
Composition and Creative Research Projects
2004- Sussex University: Visiting Tutor: Opera and Film, The Rise of Classical Music, American Music Theatre, Music and Society.
2004-16 Christ’s Hospital School
Composer in Association: Various composition projects in the classroom
2002-2005 School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE), University of Hong Kong:
Lecturer in Historical Studies and Music Technology
1993-2001 University of Salford: Senior Lecturer, Undergraduate Course
Leader. Head of Performance in Jazz and Popular Music.
1987-1989 Newcastle University: Composer-in-Residence
1984-1987 The University of Bradford: Fellow in Music
1978 – 1984 North West Arts Association: Music and Dance Officer
Professional Membership
2013 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
2000 Musicians Union
Technical and other skills
Extensive experience as ensemble director of HarmonieBand. The ensemble has performed at all of the major art centres in the UK including the South Bank Centre and the Barbican. They have also travelled widely in Europe including visits to the Giornate del Cinema Muto Pordenone, The Wroclaw Opera House, The Dresden Musikfestpiele, Berlin’s Babylon Theatre and 3 tours of Holland.