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Black Dyke composers on the move |
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Black Dyke's creative team of backroom boys
are on the move. Following Peter Meechan's promotion to a fixed term appointment as Composer in Residence, the Black Dyke band are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Lovatt Cooper as 'Young Composer in Association'. Music Director Nicholas Childs said "Paul's music is very popular with the band, and we have played several pieces of his over the years. However, his success with the National Children's Brass Band, and his excellent win at the Brighouse Composer's Competition, has moved us to invite him to join our high profile team of composers. We will open our programme at the Great Northern Brass Festival with an excellent new piece from Paul, and greatly look forward to making substantial new plans for the future." Paul Lovatt-Cooper Paul was born and raised in the Salvation Army with his parents who were Officers. He was quickly introduced into music by all of his family members who were all keen musicians and keen to keep the family tradition going. Paul started his musical career by playing the drums at school at the age of twelve. He joined the school band shortly after, which led to an invitation to play for former British Open Champions Kennedy's Swinton Band. After school Paul continued to study music at the University of Salford. Paul studied percussion under freelance percussionist Andrew Whettam and he majored in conducting under David King and composing with Peter Graham. In his final year Paul added to his degree success by winning the coveted 'Roy Newsome Conductors Award'. On graduating from university Paul earned his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Manchester Metropolitan University and became a teacher of Music. In 2003 Paul joined the world famous Black Dyke Band as percussionist. The professional conductor Dr Nicholas Childs realised Paul's potential as a composer and soon had the band performing his works, starting with the world premier of his Trombone Concerto "Earth's Fury" at Birmingham's Symphony Hall which was recorded and broadcast on BBC's Radio 2. Since then Paul has been enjoying both playing and composing successes with Black Dyke and with other bands around the world. In 2006 Paul won the Brighouse and Rastrick Band's 125th Anniversary Composers Competition with his piece "West Rydings", beating off many entries from all around the world. Paul is currently Head of Music at Wardle High School and in his spare time when he is not teaching, performing or composing you'll find him at the Reebok Stadium cheering on his beloved Bolton Wanderers. |