Richard Peat Composer

Richard Peat’s first publicly performed work, Tenebrae, was given by the Britten Sinfonia at the Sounds New Festival in 1997. He studied at City University with Rhian Samuel, where he was awarded a BMus with first class honours, an MA with distinction and a PhD. He taught theory and composition at City for four years whilst completing his doctorate.He has led composition workshops for several regional arts festivals and is a regular contributor to Faber Music’s Fingerprints series (publications designed to introduce young performers to contemporary music). His interest in music education has led to his acceptance on to the 'Teach First' scheme which offers graduates the chance to work in challenging inner city schools. In 2005 he was selected to take part in the SPNM’s Sound Inventors scheme, and was a successful entrant in the John Armitage Memorial competition in 2002 and 2005.Based on the novel by Susan Hill, his opera, I’m the King of the Castle, written in collaboration with writer Timothy Knapman, was performed at the Holywell Music Room in September last year. He has had other works performed by distinguished artists such as the London Sinfonietta, Martyn Brabbbins, Stephen Layton, Nicholas Cleobury, the Kreutzer Quartet, Icebreaker, Jane Manning, Onyx Brass, Ixion, the Choir of St. Bride’s Fleet Street, Helen Reid, Camilla Pay, Sarah James, Jenny Ferrar, the Korros ensemble and the Aurora Ensemble.His research interests include the role of composition in education, the music of Latvian composer Peteris Vasks, the harpsichord in the 20th/21st Century and the representation of children in opera.