My style of teaching is tailored to each individual, and depends upon what the tutee wants as the learning outcome. If there is a particular qualification in mind (A-level Music, ABRSM Exam, Bachelor’s Degree) then I will consider the syllabus in question and consider which areas need work. Although the syllabus acts as a frame, the more advanced the pupil is the more I deviate from this structure to allow the pupil to develop their own voice and opinions. When there is no particular qualification in mind, and the pupil is learning independently, I still offer a structure with very clear learning goals, although these will tend to be shorter (monthly). Any tuition of either essay writing or musical composition is fundamentally a two-way conversation: I will offer examples or what to listen to, read or play, but give the pupil the freedom to offer their own ideas/suggestions, whilst building their confidence. Even with the more formulaic topics (e.g harmony/counterpoint in music theory), I always aim to make tuition sessions fun and intriguing, constantly giving the pupil opportunities to actively participate.
Having completed my postgraduate Master’s in Composition from the Royal Northern College of Music, I have an extensive (and growing!) portfolio of works, and have been the recipient of such awards as the Rosamund Prize 2018 for my compositions. I am incredibly passionate about writing/writing about music and believe that everyone can discover it as a powerful means of self-expression. As a graduate of Cambridge University, I am the recipient of the most rigorous educations in music theory that is on offer in England, with weekly tutorials for three years in harmony, counterpoint and stylistic pastiche. I was also required to write history and analysis essays, which greatly benefited my own research dissertations on Gyorgy Ligeti’s notation, Morton Feldman’s music from the 1980s, and medieval music. I was also able to develop my abilities at singing at this time, as my Choral Scholarship to Gonville and Caius College Cambridge meant daily rehearsals, services, tours and professional-standard CD recordings. On the instrumental side, I was an oboist in the esteemed Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra, providing the bedrock to my ensemble playing which I developed with my improvisation group ‘Room 338’ during my Master’s.
[See below for a link to one of my recent pieces :), using my composer name Rob Oswell]
EDUCATION
2017 - 2019: Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, Mmus in Composition (distinction predicted)
2014-2017: University of Cambridge, Gonville and Caius College, BA Hons Music, Part II Mark: 2.i.
2009-2014: Rugby School, Warwickshire, A-levels: Music (A*), History (A*), Physics (A*), Maths (A)
2018-2019: Manchester University, Manchester, LEAP Beginners Arabic Course
QUALIFICATIONS AND AWARDS
2018: Rosamund Prize for Vocal Composition (competition at the Royal Northern College of Music)
2014-2017: Choral Scholarship to Gonville and Caius College, a high-commitment choir which included 3 weekly services, several professional quality CD recordings of music ranging from ancient-Celtic to contemporary works by Julian Anderson and international tours to South East Asia and the USA.
2013: ABRSM Diploma on Oboe (Distinction)
2013: ABRSM Grade 8 Piano (Pass)
2012: ABRSM Grade 6 Percussion (Distinction),
2009: Grade 5 Singing (Merit),
2009: Grade 5 Music Theory (Merit).
ENSEMBLE/PERFORMING WORK
2012-2014: 1st Oboe in Kent Youth Orchestra, The Lydian Orchestra (Sevenoaks), Cambridge University Wind Orchestra and 2nd Oboe in Cambridge University Music Society Symphony Orchestra.
2014-17: Solo Oboe Recitalist at Emmanuel College, Homerton College, Downing College and the Cambridge University Music Faculty.
2015-2017: Bass in the Eton Choral Course Choir and the Caius Men a cappella group.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2018: Curator for New Music for Winds, a concert series which aims at creating a collaborative space between Wind and Composition departments at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester).
2016-2017 :Vice President of Gonville and Caius Music Society, Cambridge; managed society meetings and publicity.
2016: Production Assistant (work experience) BBC Radio 3, London; helped research artists for scripts and edit recorded content discussing classical music.
Presenter for CamFM Radio, Cambridge; after intensive training in using broadcasting devices and script writing, I hosted Experiments in Sound, a show which focused on history/opinions around contemporary/classical music.
2012: Music Teaching Assistant at Christ the King Preparatory School, London.
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