Colin Tommis
Encyclopedia
Colin Tommis is a composer, song writer, session guitarist and teacher. He is chairman of the European Guitar Teachers Association (EGTA). His guitar music has been published by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
, Chanterelle
, Corda Music, Mel Bay and Bardic Edition.
Tommis started playing in folk music
circles in the 1970s before joining the Ian Campbell Folk Group
, with whom he worked from 1977–1982. In 1979 he embarked on studies of classical music with Harold Taylor
, John Bache and John Woolfe (Music Director for Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Company
) before graduation under the professorship of William Mathias
at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. As a solo guitarist, he commissioned a new guitar sonata from Gareth Glyn
and premiered pieces written especially for him by John Pickard
, Jochen Eisentraut and Andy Crowdy. This last was a guitar concerto.
He founded the Anglesey Guitar Ensemble in 1993 and this became, under his leadership, a hugely successful group of young musicians. They won two national ensemble competitions and appeared on the BBC’s Blue Peter
television show, before disbanding in 1997. In the late 1990s Tommis joined the experimental band Ogam, which aimed to present traditional Welsh melodies in unusual arrangements.
Since then Tommis has collaborated with musicians such as Huw Warren
, Gwyn Evans
, and Lleuwen Steffan in the recording of many of his own songs. There are two CDs of Tommis’ songs: The Cat Lover and Main Beam Blinded. Performances of Tommis’ music have been heard in France, Australia, Canada, Argentina and Denmark.
As chair of the European Guitar Teachers Association (EGTA), Tommis has had a decisive and pivotal role in developing the National Youth Guitar Ensemble (NYGE). The NYGE has performed Tommis’ ensemble music in numerous concerts across the U.K. As chairman he has steered the organisation to Charitable Status.
Tommis has recently collaborated on a children’s story for narrator and classical guitarist called “The Pink Feather”, for which he wrote 30 minutes of brand new solo classical guitar music. This project is now being recorded and performed at schools and festivals around the country.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world...
, Chanterelle
Chanterelle
Cantharellus cibarius, commonly known as the chanterelle, golden chanterelle or girolle, is a fungus. It is probably the best known species of the genus Cantharellus, if not the entire family of Cantharellaceae. It is orange or yellow, meaty and funnel-shaped...
, Corda Music, Mel Bay and Bardic Edition.
Tommis started playing in folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
circles in the 1970s before joining the Ian Campbell Folk Group
Ian Campbell Folk Group
The Ian Campbell Folk Group were one of the most popular and respected folk groups of the British folk revival of the 1960s. The group made many appearances on radio, television, and at national and international venues and festivals. They performed a mixture of British traditional folk music and...
, with whom he worked from 1977–1982. In 1979 he embarked on studies of classical music with Harold Taylor
Harold Taylor
Harold Taylor is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1988 to 1990, representing the riding of Wolseley for the Manitoba Liberal Party....
, John Bache and John Woolfe (Music Director for Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
) before graduation under the professorship of William Mathias
William Mathias
William Mathias CBE was a Welsh composer.-Brief biography:Mathias was born in Whitland, Carmarthenshire. A child prodigy, he started playing the piano at the age of three and composing at the age of five. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Lennox Berkeley, where he was elected a fellow...
at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. As a solo guitarist, he commissioned a new guitar sonata from Gareth Glyn
Gareth Glyn
Gareth Glyn, born Gareth Glynne Davies , is a Welsh composer and radio broadcaster.-Life and education:Born in Machynlleth, Wales, Glyn is the eldest son of the late Welsh poet T. Glynne Davies...
and premiered pieces written especially for him by John Pickard
John Pickard (composer)
John Pickard , is a British classical composer.Pickard was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England. He studied music and composition at the University of Wales, under Welsh composer William Mathias, and later in The Netherlands under Louis Andriessen and in 1989 was awarded a PhD in composition...
, Jochen Eisentraut and Andy Crowdy. This last was a guitar concerto.
He founded the Anglesey Guitar Ensemble in 1993 and this became, under his leadership, a hugely successful group of young musicians. They won two national ensemble competitions and appeared on the BBC’s Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
television show, before disbanding in 1997. In the late 1990s Tommis joined the experimental band Ogam, which aimed to present traditional Welsh melodies in unusual arrangements.
Since then Tommis has collaborated with musicians such as Huw Warren
Huw Warren
Huw Warren is a jazz pianist and composer. A graduate of Goldsmiths College and Guildhall School of Music, he is known for his work with June Tabor, Perfect Houseplants, and various groups. Warren has recorded several albums under his own name on Babel Label, including projects with violinist Mark...
, Gwyn Evans
Gwyn Evans
Gwyn Evans is a former international rugby union player. In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions. He played club rugby for Maesteg RFC.-Notes:...
, and Lleuwen Steffan in the recording of many of his own songs. There are two CDs of Tommis’ songs: The Cat Lover and Main Beam Blinded. Performances of Tommis’ music have been heard in France, Australia, Canada, Argentina and Denmark.
As chair of the European Guitar Teachers Association (EGTA), Tommis has had a decisive and pivotal role in developing the National Youth Guitar Ensemble (NYGE). The NYGE has performed Tommis’ ensemble music in numerous concerts across the U.K. As chairman he has steered the organisation to Charitable Status.
Tommis has recently collaborated on a children’s story for narrator and classical guitarist called “The Pink Feather”, for which he wrote 30 minutes of brand new solo classical guitar music. This project is now being recorded and performed at schools and festivals around the country.
Selected works
- The Christmas Fantasia (1994)
- The Day She Walked Into Powys Hall (2001)
- The Cat Lover (2003)
- Main Beam Blinded (2006)
- Learning To Tie Shoelaces (2006)
- Y Felinheli (2007)
- The Pink Feather (2008)
External links
- http://www.egta.co.uk