Michael Short was born in Bermuda in 1937 of English and Scottish parentage. He was educated at Gillingham Grammar School and Bristol University, and then studied music at Morley College and London University. In 1966 he won a Mendelssohn Scholarship which enabled him to study composition in Italy with Goffredo Petrassi, and also in London as a private pupil of Sir Lennox Berkeley.
Since then he has written a side variety of music, ranging from works commissioned for eminent professional ensembles to pieces for amateurs, educational music, jazz scores and advertising jingles. Many of his compositions have been broadcast on BBC network radio and have been performed in various countries throughout the world.
He has held appointments as a music librarian, lecturer and professor of music history, but now devotes his time entirely to composition. He is a member of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters and was for many years a member of the former Composers' Guild of Great Britain, on whose Executive Committee he also served. In 1989 he was awarded a Fellowship in Composition of Trinity College of Music, London. He has served as a regional adjudicator for the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition and the Boosey & Hawkes National Band Competition, and for many years was Composer in Residence at the annual Dolmetsch Summer School of Music.
Besides composition, he has made a special study of the life and music of Gustav Holst. For the centenary of the composer's birth he produced a Centenary Documentation of Holst's works, edited his letters, and organised and compiled the Holst Centenary Exhibition shown in London at the Royal Festival Hall. His comprehensive book Gustav Holst: the Man and his Music was published in 1990 by Oxford University Press. Other writings include Your Book of Music for children, journal articles, record and CD sleeve notes, and radio talks.
CONTACTS:
Scottish Music Information Centre 1 Bowmont Gardens, Glasgow G12 9LR
Tel: 0141 334 6393; fax: 0141 337 1161
Goodmusic P.O. Box 100, Tewkesbury GL20 7YQ
Tel: 01684 773883; fax: 01684 773884;
e-mail: Sales@Goodmusic-uk.com
Bandleader Publications: distributed by Kirkees Music, 24 Old Furzebrook Road
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Studio Music 77-79 Dudden Hill Lane, London NW10 1BD
Tel: 0181 459 6194; fax: 0181 451 6470
Roberton Publications The Windmill, Wendover, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 6JJ
Tel: 01296 623107
Important Works
- Variations on a Scottish Theme, for orchestra [2222/2221/timp+2perc/hp/str] Duration: 16'. Material available from the Scottish Music Information Centre, Glasgow.
- A Romantic Symphony for orchestra [3232/4331/timp+3perc/(hp)(pf)/str] 4 movements. Commissioned for the 40th anniversary of the Bath Symphony Orchestra. Duration: 30'. Material on hire from composer.
- Concert Music for string orchestra Commissioned by the Dolmetsch Organisation; first performed by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble. Duration: 17'. Published by Goodmusic.
- Apollo Concertos Nos. 1-7 for soloist and string orchestra [1.Flute; 2.Oboe; 3.Clarinet; 4.Bassoon; 5.Horn; 6.Trumpet; 7.Piano] Composed for the Apollo Ensemble of Bath. Duration of each: 15'. Published by Goodmusic.
- Double Concerto for two violins and string orchestra Composed for the Argyle String Orchestra of Bath. Duration: 15'. Published by Goodmusic.
- Double Concerto for two violins and string orchestra Composed for the Argyle String Orchestra of Bath. Duration: 15'. Published by Goodmusic.
- Seven Steps to Heaven for concert band Duration: 26'. Published by Bandleader.
- String Quartets Nos. 1-4 No. 1 first performed by the Alberni String Quartet on BBC Radio 3. No. 4 first performed by the Hanson String Quartet on BBC Radio 3.
- Six Poems for wind quintet First performed by the Athena Ensemble on BBC Radio 3. Published by Studio Music.
- Reflections for mezzo-soprano & chamber ensemble Words by Graham Reynolds. Commissioned by the Library Association; first performed by the London Sinfonietta and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Duration: 18'. Material on hire from Roberton Publications.