Nicola LeFanu: Honorary Patron
Nicola LeFanu has composed around one hundred works for a variety of mediums. Her music is published by Edition Peters and by Novello and has been widely played, broadcast and recorded. She has composed eight operas, which have been staged in UK, Ireland and USA.
In 2020 a CD with four of her major orchestral pieces was released by NMC, supported by a grant from the PRSF. It features the RTE NSO and the BBCSO. A new work for baritone and chamber orchestra will be premiered by the Welsh Chamber Orchestra. In 2021 a new quintet for strings will be premiered by the Sacconi quartet and works for solo horn and for solo piano will also receive their premieres. If the pandemic permits, a new work for saxophone orchestra will be premered in New York and in Germany.
Charles Forsyth: Director
Charles has a background in Pure Maths and Computer Science, with a doctorate from the University of York. He is currently a freelance computer scientist. He has a side interest in animation and computer music. He has long been interested in modern classical music and was introduced to York Late Music about five years ago.
Steve Crowther: Concert Administrator
Steve Crowther was born in Bradford, a city which has informed his social, political and compositional outlook. He studied music at the University of Sussex, specialising in composition with both Jonathan Harvey and Michael Finnissy, graduating with a BA (Hons) and an MA. Steve’s work has been played by many leading performers including the Smith and Fitzwilliam String Quartets, the London Sinfonietta, Delta Saxophone Quartet and Ian Pace. His music has been played throughout the UK and Europe, and at various contemporary music festivals. His Songs for Don was recorded as part of Songs Now: British Songs of the 21st Century (Meridian). In 1991 Steve and composer David Power formed the acclaimed Late Music Festival, which has now simply become Late Music. Steve lives in York with his wife, Antonia, and daughter, Emma.
www.stevecrowther.co.uk
David Lancaster: Projects Manager
David Lancaster is Associate Professor of Composition at York St John University; his music has been performed, recorded, and broadcast internationally. His primary role at Late Music is to manage the student workshops at YSJU, advise on current trends in contemporary music, and to facilitate performances of works by staff and students.
Of his recent music, ‘Strata’ was recorded by the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra; ‘Apocalypse’ was performed and broadcast by the Danish Radio Vocal Ensemble. In 2019 ‘Of Trumpets and Angels’ was commissioned by Oxford Harmonic Choir and ‘Rendezvous’ for saxophones and film was first performed.
In 2020 ‘Angelus’ was released on CD by Duncan Honeybourne, and 2021 saw the first London performance of ‘Before I Fall Asleep’ for flute, viola and harp. ‘Apocalypse’ was recorded for CD release on the Resonus Classics label.
Current projects include a new work for Gemini and a piece for choir and natural horn for Soon Amore.
Originally from Wigan, David studied music at York and Cambridge universities, and was for three years Composer-in-Residence at Charterhouse. His music is published by UYMP.
Hayley Jenkins: Online Publicity and Podcasts
Born in Darlington, Hayley Jenkins began her musical career as a flautist playing in the District Wind Band and later learnt clarinet and saxophone. Hayley studied Music at York St John University at undergraduate level and then continued her studies there with MA in Music Composition.
Hayley is a freelance contemporary composer and is always eager to collaborate with fellow composers, performers and artists of all disciplines. As a composer her work has featured in the Late Music concert series, most recently a saxophone quartet “Kaleidoscope” performed by the Delta Saxophone Quartet. New projects include a commission for the Albany Trio. Hayley’s work explores narrative forms and draws influence from nature, art, literature and different cultures. She has written for soloists, chamber ensembles, orchestra and film.
https://www.hayleyjenkinscomposer.com/
James Williamson: Online Publicity
James is a local lad having been brought into the world in nearby Selby in the glorious 1980’s. He is a composer who has written for various acclaimed ensembles and performers in the UK and beyond. He has studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music and recently completed a PhD in Composition at the University of York. To earn an honest living, James works in the insurance industry and occasionally plays the trumpet and drums around the York area. He has recently moved to Pocklington with his wife Jodie, daughter Agnes and their cat Wendy.
Antonia Crowther: Administration and Publicity
Antonia has a degree in Spanish & Latin American Studies from Newcastle University. She worked in publishing in London for eleven years, first in European sales and later as an editor. On returning to York, her hometown, she worked as a bookseller at Waterstone’s and in 2001 co-wrote and published The York Book, which sold over 4000 copies. She has been involved with the administration of Late Music since 2004.
Rosy Hunt: Finance
Rosy has retired from an accounting career in the education sector, and now volunteers at Holgate Windmill, where she is a miller and the treasurer. She is also treasurer for two other not-for-profit organisations. Involved with LMF in its early days as Soundpool, Rosy was for many years a Micklegate Singer and is now with The Clerkes of All Saints.
James Else: Strategic Promotion
James Else is composer, filmmaker and lecturer. He studied music at the University of Glasgow and King’s College London, before completing a PhD in composition at the University of York with Nicola LeFanu. He is active as a freelance composer including recent performances by the BBC Philharmonic (as part of their Red Brick Sessions), Cuatro Puntos, Delta Saxophone Quartet, Ligeti String Quartet, Jeremy Huw Williams and Ian Pace. James has had his music performed across the UK and Ireland, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and he regularly composes television music for BBC Scotland.
James has also been heavily involved in contemporary dance since 2005, specialising in its relationships to other art practices both in creative and theoretical fields. He is now Head of Postgraduate Studies at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Alongside his teaching at NSCD he works as a TV producer primarily for BBC broadcast, including the BAFTA Scotland winning programme ‘The Great Climb’ and the Scottish Adventure Award winning series ‘The Adventure Show’ currently in its 18th series.