You
can contact me by email (matthew
*at* matthewpollardmusic.co.uk) or on
07968-588663
Feel
free to use the texts below in any promotional
materials.
Composition
Matthew
Pollard (b.1977) studied at the Universities of
Huddersfield and Sussex, where his composition tutors
included Margaret-Lucy Wilkins and Martin Butler. He
graduated with a doctorate in Musical Composition in July
2007. His works have been performed throughout the UK by
ensembles such as the Royal Northern College of Music Brass
Band, the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, Lontano (conducted
by Odaline de la Martinez), Paragon Saxophone Quartet,
Tacet Ensemble, Composers’ Orchestral Project Orchestra
(conducted by Roger Montgomery),the Musicians of All Saints
and Adam Bushell/Tom Norrell Percussion Duet. His first
opera, The
Diary, was
performed in August 2008 during the Tete-a-Tete Opera
Festival at the Riverside Studios, London, by Heather
Cairncross and Lawrence White, and directed by Sebastian
Harcombe. In creative collaboration with writer Peter
Kenny, This concert will fall in love with you was
performed during Brighton Festival Fringe 2010 by members
of the Tacet Ensemble – the first of many new works from
this partnership. Currently he is working on a second opera
and a large-scale work for brass band. He has also worked
as an arranger for Hazel O’Connor and is much in demand as
a conductor, holding posts with the Rainbow Chorus,
Hangleton Brass Band and Tacet contemporary music ensemble.
www.matthewpollardmusic.co.uk
Conducting
Matthew
Pollard (b.1977) studied conducting with Barrie Webb and
Philip McCann at the University of Huddersfield and
attended Allan Withington’s Conducting Summer School in
Leeuwarden, Netherlands, in 2009. He is currently Musical
Director of the Rainbow Chorus (since 2002) and Hangleton
Brass Band (since 2006), and conductor of Tacet Ensemble
(since 2000). Some recent concert highlights include ‘The
Romantic Reaction’, an exploration of music by gay 20th
century composers with the Rainbow Chorus (Brighton
Festival Fringe 2008), several tours of the south-east with
Tacet Ensemble, and numerous concerts with the Hangleton
Band including ‘Cathedral Brass’. He has conducted a number
of world premieres, including works by Martin Butler, Ed
Hughes, John Mayer, Alison Kay and John Alexander. He
maintains a busy rehearsal and concert schedule with all
three ensembles. Matthew was the inaugural winner of the
Roy Newsome Challenge Shield and was named “NABBC Conductor
of the Year 2008”. Matthew is also a composer and arranger,
holding a doctorate in Musical Composition from the
University of Sussex.
www.matthewpollardmusic.co.uk