OperaStuff

English composer Andrew Webb-Mitchell's path into music could be described as a tale of two teachers. Born in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire in 1970, he showed no obvious interest in music until the age of thirteen, when the course of his life was changed by an inspirational high school music teacher. He subsequently became obsessed by all aspects of classical music, throwing himself into his studies and learning the piano. Then at fifteen, a second teacher lent him a score and recording of Mahler Symphony No.2, providing the young musician with the epiphany that would shape the rest of his life; he would dedicate it to music and become a classical composer.

Webb-Mitchell's development as a musician and composer was long and unconventional. He read music at what is now Anglia Ruskin University, majoring in composition and choral conducting. Upon graduation, he embarked on an international career in music education, holding positions in Kuwait and Taiwan before leading music departments in several schools in the United Kingdom.

As Director of Music at Newcastle Church High, one of England's leading private schools, he led his choir on several tours of Europe, performing in Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Florence and Rome. In 2005 his choir had the honour of performing during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. During this time he was also responsible for stage performances of Bernstein's fiendish musical, On The Town and Gershwin's chamber opera, Blue Monday. In 2008 he was appointed Director of Music and Performing Arts at the British School of Beijing and in 2010 became founding Headmaster of Beijing College. He is also Composer-In-Residence for The British School's Group.

Webb-Mitchell has recently completed his first large scale orchestral work, a symphonic song cycle, Songs of Awe and Wonder, with text by English poet Joanna Boulter. This work will be recorded by the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra at the Besedni Dum in July 2011. He is currently composing a setting of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 for solo violin, children's choir and orchestra for British virtuoso violinist, Tasmin Little.

Having become disillusioned with contemporary classical music from a listener’s perspective, Webb-Mitchell is determined to reclaim the concert hall for modern audiences, giving them new works in a direct and accessible musical language. He aims to resurrect the lost art of great writing for the classical voice, composing new works which are carefully crafted to engage with both the listener and performer.