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Composer Howard Goodall visits Music Faculty
Howard Goodall, composer of the music for hit shows such as The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean is visiting the Faculty on Monday (23 February 12.00) to give a public lecture on Writing for the screen
Oxford alumnus Mr Goodall studied music at Christ Church where he met actor Rowan Atkinson and screenwriter Richard Curtis. He went on to work with both of them in a number of high profile projects as well as composing choral music, stage musicals, film and television scores. He is also a television presenter for shows such as Young Musician of the Year and campaigns for music education.
The Music Faculty will be hosting his return to the University, at midday at the Denis Arnold Hall, which will be followed by a session of questions and answers.
Dr Stephen Darlington, Choragus at Oxford University, recently recorded Howard Goodall’s Requiem with Christ Church Choir. He said: ‘Oxford's Faculty of Music is delighted to play host to the BAFTA award-winning composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall. This is a rare opportunity to gain an insight into the world of film music composition from one of Oxford's most successful musical alumni.’
Howard Goodall said: ‘When composers invite guests to a studio to see the mechanics of composing and recording for the screen at work, they always seem taken aback at how unexpectedly technical, painstaking and complex the process is. Speaking at Oxford University is my chance to bring that technique out of the studio and demonstrate it to an interested audience.
‘Even film lovers with no musical expertise may find it illuminating how composers cope with the many demands presented to them at the tail-end of the post-production assembly line. The score might be added to a film just 3 or 4 weeks before its release, which can mean composing, orchestrating & recording 60 minutes of music in 30 days. I hope to show how this is achieved.'
Dr Darlington will also be conducting the Christ Church Cathedral Choir in a landmark double concert premiere of English composition from the 16th and 21st centuries, on Saturday 13 June, for which tickets are now on sale. The first part will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Coronation of Henry VIII, founder of Christ Church. And the second part will be the Oxford premiere of Eternal Light: A Requiem, written for the Choir by Howard Goodall.