Simon Dobson

Born in 1981, Simon Dobson is a contemporary composer from Cornwall in England, writing prolifically for brass bands. Having grown up in a brass banding family, Simon moved to London at age 18 on a scholarship to study composition under Timothy Salter, Theo Verby and George Benjamin, at South Kensington's Royal College of Music.

While at college, Dobson wrote music for many different ensembles including, wind orchestra, string orchestra, percussion ensemble and the RCM symphony orchestra. He received his first commission, from the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2002 during in his second year of study. In 2004 Simon was a featured composer at the world famous Three Choirs Festival and composed contemporary a work based on electronic music called 'sinewave'.

Also in 2002, Simon won the European Brass Band composers competition in Brussels, which lead to Simon being commissioned to write the test work for the 2003 English regional Fourth section brass band competition, "Lydian Pictures". A number of other commissions follow including a work for the national youth brass band finals of Great Britain, including a march for the BBC Music Live festivalcite web |url=http://www.fabermusic.com/serverside/composers/Details.asp?ID=Dobson,%20Simon&View=biog&Section=composers |title=Biography |publisher=fabermusic.com |accessdate=2008-03-09] , and Brass Band Heritage Trust.

At RCM, Dobson was part of a group of students who formed 'Zone One Brass', a championship section band whom Simon conducted for four years before moving away from London in 2004 after earning his B.Mus and graduating to the sounds of his own fanfare!.

In 2007, Simon wrote the set piece for the European Brass band championships 'B' section, and his work "The Drop", (based on Drum 'n' Bass DJ techniques), has been performed to acclaim, a number of times in some of the nations best concert venues, including the Birmingham Symphony Hall. [cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70U6tGgCbWw |title=Dobson The Drop |publisher=youtube.com |accessdate=2008-03-09]

He has been Composer in Residence both with the Leyland band, and Brighouse & Rastrick.

Simon also works as a free lance conductor and is well known for his work with youth ensembles and players. His conducting lead him to coach many of London's championship standard bands, taking him nationwide, as well as to Norway for the Norwegian Brass band championships. Simon works with former national youth champions Mount Charles Youth Band, as well as the Devon County Youth band and the famous Cornwall Youth Brass Band.

As a performer, Simon plays horns in the Dirty Pop band, 'Men Of Splendour', performing all over England, playing festival crowds in excess of 10,000 people. As a conductor, he conducted 'Zone One Brass', his own band, including at Buckingham Palace. As a composer, Dobson continues to write many different types of music, such as, Drum 'n' Bass, Dub, Jazz, Breakbeat and more recently animated film scores, as well as providing film music for timelapse film company, Lobster Pictures Ltd.. His music is published by Faber Music ltd. London. Simon is soon to launch his own publishing label, 'Zen Score'.

Simon very recently became the winner of the Denis and Maud Wright conducting award and now holds the post of Assistant Musical Director at the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, studying under Bramwell Tovey. Simon also lectures in music theory at Truro College in Cornwall.

Awards

* 1997, Winner, Brass Section, Cornwall Young Composer Competition
* 2002, Winner, European Composer's Competition, Brussels, Belgiumcite news |url=http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2005/art463.asp |title=4BR Interview |last=Fox |first=Iwan |date=2005-04-13 |publisher=4barsrest.com |accessdate=2008-03-09]
* 2002, Newcomer of the Year, 4BarsRest

References