Episode 01: Ian Schofield

Welcome to the very first episode of FORTE Podcast! Thank you for joining me on this truly exciting journey!

My first guest on my project is my past composition teacher at Havant & South Downs College. His presence and ability to distill difficult concepts into a more digestible way have greatly influenced the way I play and teach music.

Ian is a composer and music editor. He was born in 1949 in the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle. He studied Composition at the University of Southampton under the tutelage of Dr. Eric Graebner and Prof. Peter Evans. Before his retirement he was an A-Level lecturer at Havant & South Downs College.

Timestamps

(0:25) Where do musical inspirations come from?

(5:13) Iso-rhythm

(10:10) Foundation of composing choral and instrumental works

(16:03) Beginner composers composing by feeling or theory?

(25:17) Tips on composing for large ensembles

(33:13) A composition/composer that leaves Ian in awe

(36:09) Thoughts on Leonard Bernstein’s term “exact music”

(42:52) Pop music and its freedom to personalise and modernise

(44:40) Famous soloists collaborating with contemporary composers

(50:01) Replicating old musical styles in the modern age

(54:20) Opinion on movie soundtracks

(59:56) Wrong Instrumentation ruining a good melody?

(1:12:21) Ian’s new projects that he wishes to compose