Elizabeth Sharma
Professional
- Composer/Lyricist: Both
- Genre: Concert
- Email: lizsharma@aol.com
Biography
Liz studied composition with Richard Arnell at Trinity College of Music, but became Head of Music in Comprehensive Schools. She ran choirs, orchestras, dance groups, steelbands, Indian music groups, and, in response to student demands, Turkish, Chinese & Somali music groups. The tough environments and heavy workload meant that she had no time to concentrate on composing, other than for her students.
Through her performing groups she gained a reputation for World Music, and was asked to write several books, including 'Music Worldwide' for Cambridge University Press, and to advise other education authorities on World Music programmes.
For seven years she was Music Co-ordinator in a Special School, and composed for students with learning difficulties, and also worked with disabled adults. She now works in several multi-racial Primary Schools, and has composed several works in which children perform with adult orchestral musicians.
A more flexible work pattern since 2001 at last allows her to compose prolifically, and her instrumental and vocal music is performed both by adults and young people. She has acted as composer in residence at a course for advanced wind players in France five times, and at a festival for bassoonists of all standards and ages in Leipzig twice.
She has composed music for many music courses and Summer schools, including Dartington for the last five years, and has been commissioned to set stories to music for a Dorset orchestra, with Martin Clunes as narrator in March 2007, 2008 & 2009.
She welcomes new opportunities to compose music for a wide range of performers.
Important Works
- 'Summer Journey' - Versions for orchestra & large wind band. Performed in France, & at Dartington Summer School.
- 'Rainbow Island' - A musical setting of an original story (by L.S.) to involve adult musicians & children. Originally performed in Leipzig, & at Vicar's Green Primary School. Ealing.
- 'A Day on Temperate Earth' - a piece inspired by poems selected to describe the passage of a day. Wind Band version performed at Dartington Summer School, orchestra version performed at a Cobwebs Orchestra couse in Northumberland.
- 'The Forbidden Music', 'Jurassical Music' & 'Hoist the Planets' - all orchestral settings of stories by Richard Baker, Narrated by Martin Clunes & performed in Dorchester, Conducted by Robert Jacoby in 2007, 2008 & 2009.
- 'Wind Dargon' A fantasy by L.S. about a Music Loving Dragon who helps children take care on the environment. For chamber orchestra & children.
- 'Earth Music Trilogy' words & Music by L.S. for SATB choir, piano & solo wind instrument. Performed many times & in many venues by the Carrillon Singers - conductor Ralph Earwicker.
- Three songs for 'A Shropshire Lad' - SATB choir piano & oboe/cor anglais - performed by Carillon Singers.
- 'Song for Eve' words & music L.S for the birth of a girl. SATB choir Solos - s,s, a, & solo oboe. Performed Carillon Singers.
- WORKS FOR WIND BAND & LARGE WIND ENSEMBLE - 'Dance Suite', 'Memories & Myths', 'Creatures of the Sun & Moon,'The Forest', 'Permutations', 'Devices'
