Robert Spearing
Robert Spearing trained at the Royal College of Music, studying
composition under Herbert Howells and conducting with Vernon
Handley. In his first year his First Symphony was
performed, leading to a masterclass with the legendary Nadia
Boulanger. He later gained a first class honours degree at the Open
University, and more recently a doctorate in composition at the
University of Birmingham, encountering there the work of Vic
Hoyland and Jonty Harrison. His compositions include choral works,
two symphonies and an oboe concerto, as well as chamber music and
music theatre pieces. A number of his works have been broadcast on
Radio 3, including the Second Symphony, a cantata -
The Seagull – which was a BBC commission, and the sonata
for oboe and piano – A Welsh Bestiary.
Rob has held several teaching posts including at The Purcell
School, Birmingham University and Birmingham Conservatoire.
Educational projects include publications for Faber Music in the
Superstart series in collaboration with violinist Mary
Cohen. For six years he conducted his own touring orchestra - Y
Cerddorion. His most recent compositions include the
two-movement Piano Symphony for large orchestra, a solo
cantata She Solus, and his current project for solo violin
and mixed ensemble, Electric.
www.robertspearing.co.uk