Robert Steadman

Robert Steadman (born 1 April 1965) is a British composer of classical music who mostly works in a post-minimalist style but also writes lighter music, including musicals, and compositions for educational purposes. He also teaches, writes articles for music education journals, notably Classroom Music, and has written several revision guides for GCSE Music and A-level Music Technology.

Steadman currently lives with his 4th wife and has 3 children and 18 grandchildren.

Background

Steadman was born in Chiswick, London and brought up in Basingstoke, Hampshire. He was a pupil at Richard Aldworth School, before studying on the Pre-Professional Music Course at Cricklade College, Andover. In 1984 he gained an Associate of the Royal College of Music (A.R.C.M.) in tuba.

He read music at Keble College, Oxford, graduating in 1986. During his time at Oxford, Steadman was the musical director of many shows and, notably, became President of the Oxford Revue working with Armando Iannucci and John Sparkes.

Steadman has written several compositions specifically to raise awareness of political and social issues and to raise funds for charitable organisations. Some of the pieces have been offered as downloads over the internet in return for a charitable donation.

Compositions

While much of his output has been written for amateurs and young musicians he has also written several pieces of music for the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, for the London Brass Virtuosi, for saxophonist Sarah Field and for the East of England Orchestra (now Sinfonia ViVA). He has written three symphonies and two operas, but is best known for his choral compositions. He has also written many chamber music pieces, including those for the Holywell Ensemble. One of his anthems was used at the memorial service for the Dunblane Massacre. He even branched out into radio jingles and wrote a song for the BBC Radio One DJ, Chris Evans.

Steadman uses strong rhythms and broad melodies.

In 2016 Steadman write an original orchestral soundtrack for the classic film Nosterfatu and music for a small ensemble for the Lincoln Mystery Plays.

Conducting

Steadman has conducted many performances of his own works, as well as Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, and much orchestral music. He has particularly worked with many youth music organisations including the Oxford Youth Band and Nottingham Music School Orchestra. In November 2005, after leading the Lady Manners School Orchestra to victory at The National Festival of Music for Youth, he conducted the orchestra at the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Steadman currently conducts the Isle Of Axeholme Orchestra.

Teaching

Steadman was banned from classroom teaching in England for 5 years, by The National College for Teaching and Leadership professional conduct panel after it was found he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student while teaching part-time at Lady Manners School in Bakewell.

Discography

• Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up... (1997)
  • Performers: The Holywell Ensemble
  • Record label: Mapa Mundi
• The Rains are Coming (1997)
  • Performers: The Scottish Saxophone Quartet
  • Record label: SSQ
• Nottingham Songbook (2000)
• Kintamarni (2003)
  • Performers: Kintamarni Saxophone Quartet
  • Record label: Kintamarni
  • Includes "The Rains are Coming"

Bibliography

• Robert Steadman.Lifelines: AQA GCSE Music (Rhinegold Publishing, ISBN 1-906178-06-2)
• Chris Duffill & Rob Steadman.Lifelines: Edexcel AS Music Technology (Rhinegold Publishing, ISBN 1-906178-04-6)
• Chris Duffill & Rob Steadman.Lifelines: Edexcel A2 Music Technology (Rhinegold Publishing, ISBN 1-906178-05-4)

References

Notes

• Sarah Galloway (1993).Hampstead and Highgate Express accessed December 2005
• BBC News (2004).Composer pens Anne Frank tribute accessed December 2005

External links

• Robert Steadman's website