Paul Drayton (composer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Drayton is a British
composer
, conductor
, pianist
, and teacher
.
He was educated at High Wycombe Royal Grammar School from 1956 to 1962. He studied music at Brasenose College, Oxford
, and was subsequently Director of Music at New College School
, Oxford. He later taught and was composer-in-residence at Stowe School
near Buckingham.
Many of his compositions are for choir. His piece entitled "Masterpiece" was sung by the King's Singers
in their 2005 DVD release From Byrd to the Beatles. He is the author of a listeners' guide to music entitled Unheard Melodies or Trampolining in the Vatican (Athena Press 2008)
He now lives in Cornwall
, and lectures on a part-time basis at Truro College
, Truro
on both A-Level and International Baccalaureate courses.
His opera The Hanging Oak, based on a story by M.R. James, was premiered in October 2009 in several church locations in the south-west of England.
He is the Musical Director of Duchy Opera.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, and teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
.
He was educated at High Wycombe Royal Grammar School from 1956 to 1962. He studied music at Brasenose College, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, and was subsequently Director of Music at New College School
New College School
New College School is an independent preparatory school for boys in Oxford. It was founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham to provide for the education of 16 choristers for the chapel of New College, Oxford....
, Oxford. He later taught and was composer-in-residence at Stowe School
Stowe School
Stowe School is an independent school in Stowe, Buckinghamshire. It was founded on 11 May 1923 by J. F. Roxburgh, initially with 99 male pupils. It is a member of the Rugby Group and Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. The school is also a member of the G20 Schools Group...
near Buckingham.
Many of his compositions are for choir. His piece entitled "Masterpiece" was sung by the King's Singers
King's Singers
The King's Singers is a British a cappella vocal ensemble who celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s...
in their 2005 DVD release From Byrd to the Beatles. He is the author of a listeners' guide to music entitled Unheard Melodies or Trampolining in the Vatican (Athena Press 2008)
He now lives in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, and lectures on a part-time basis at Truro College
Truro College
Truro College is a tertiary institution located in Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. Following an exchange of governing bodies, Truro College merged with Penwith College in April 2008—the combined institution is known as Truro and Penwith College, though the sites retain their original names...
, Truro
Truro
Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...
on both A-Level and International Baccalaureate courses.
His opera The Hanging Oak, based on a story by M.R. James, was premiered in October 2009 in several church locations in the south-west of England.
He is the Musical Director of Duchy Opera.
Works
- New College Service (unaccompanied choral Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, written for New College, OxfordNew College, OxfordNew College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
) - Nero (cantata)
- Lotos-Land (SATB and piano; words by TennysonTennysonAlfred, Lord Tennyson, the first Baron Tennyson, was an English poet.Tennyson may also refer to:-People:* Baron Tennyson, the barony itself** Alfred, Lord Tennyson , poet...
) - Pavane (organ)
- Choral Prelude and Fugue on "Nun Ruhen Alle Walder" (organ)
- Dance in a Desolate Place (organ)
- Ecce Ancilla Domini (choir)
- The World's Desire (SATB)
- This Starry Stranger (SATB and organ; words by Richard CrashawRichard CrashawRichard Crashaw , English poet, styled "the divine," was part of the Seventeenth-century Metaphysical School of poets.-Life:...
) - Jesu Dulcis Memoria (SSATTB)
- My Soul, There is a Country (SATB)
- The Spacious Firmament (SSATTBB)
- Templa Quam Dilecta (cantata SATB and orchestra; words from Psalm 84Psalm 84Psalm 84 is the 84th psalm of the Book of Psalms, composed by sons of Korah.-Judaism:*Verse 5 is the first verse of Ashrei.*Verse 13 is the tenth verse of V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra is found in Uva Letzion, and is part of Havdalah.-Songs:...
) - Now Glad of Heart Be Everyone (SATB and organ)
- How Like an Angel (SATB and organ)
- Come Rejoicing (SATB)
- Love's Redeeming Work is Done (chorus)
- Corpus Christi Carol (unison)
- The Hanging Oak (opera)
- Masterpiece (choral ensemble)