John McLeod is one of Scotland’s most prolific composers. As a student at the Royal Academy of Music he studied clarinet with Jack Brymer, Reginald Kell and Gervase de Peyer. However, after winning several important prizes for composition, he changed direction and became a pupil of Sir Lennox Berkeley. Later he studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. His music has been commissioned, performed and recorded in many countries by leading orchestras, ensembles and international soloists. Several important festivals have featured his works including Edinburgh, St Magnus (Orkney) and the BBC Proms. His catalogue of works is large and varied and covers most musical genres - orchestral, choral, church music, songs, instrumental and chamber music as well as scores for film and TV. Many of his works are now available on commercial CDs.

John has held Lectureships and Fellowships at the RSAMD, the RNCM and the RAM and from 1991 to 1997 he was Head of Composing for Film and Television at the London College of Music (Thames Valley University). From 2001 to 2004 he was also on the Board of Directors of the Performing Right Society and the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 1989. Described by The Scotsman as ‘ a major force in contemporary Scottish music’, McLeod is the subject of a new article by Francis Morris in the latest Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Recent works include Chinese Whispers for brass (nominated for a 2005 British Composer Award), a Clarinet Concerto, Piano Sonata No.4 and a large-scale orchestral piece Fling for 2 orchestras (commissioned by BBC Radio 3) and recently performed by 180 musicians.

Publisher:
Griffin Music, Hill House,
9 Redford Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH13 0BS,
Scotland,
U.K.

Tel: 0131 441 3035

Fax: 0131 441 9930

Website: www.johnmcleod.uk.com

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