Whether as arranger (“Cry of the Celts..an extraordinary arrangement, exuberant, extrovert” The Times) or composer (“Harrison’s Dream is an absolute knockout” American Record Guide), Peter Graham’s work has been celebrated by performers and audiences alike.
Born in Scotland (a native Lallans speaker) he read music at Edinburgh and London Universities (Goldsmiths’ College) and following spells in publishing in New York and London he is currently Professor of Composition at the University of Salford in Greater Manchester, England.
His music is performed across the globe, from China, Japan, Korea and Singapore in the Far East to every major European country. Performers have included the Royal Philharmonic, New Zealand Symphony and the White House Orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw and Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra Brass, the Osaka Municipal Symphonic and United States Air Force Bands and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. As a former composer in residence to the Coldstream Guards Band he was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh and his music represented at a private Royal Command Performance in Windsor Castle.
Described by British Bandsman Magazine as “a spectacularly imaginative and innovative talent”, he attributes his interest in brass to lessons from his father at the local Salvation Army band in Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland. He has written for all levels of brass band, from educational concert music to the most demanding test-piece and is in the unique position of having had his music performed in every major brass band competition worldwide.
His music for brass has also been arranged for various ensembles, from fanfare bands of the Benelux countries to marching bands in the USA. The famous Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps’ most successful show to date (Colors of Brass and Percussion) was built entirely around his compositions The Essence of Time and Montage.
Peter Graham’s music has won many prizes, and in 2002 he became the first composer outside of the USA to win the American Bandmasters Association/Ostwald Award for Original Composition for Symphonic Winds.
His arrangements and orchestrations have been performed on most British TV and Radio stations and frequently on BBC TV’s Songs of Praise. He has written for and collaborated with some of the world’s leading performers including Karl Jenkins (as co-arranger and orchestrator on the EMI album This Land of Ours), Evelyn Glennie (as composer and orchestrator on the Grammy nominated BMG Classics/RCA album Reflected in Brass), The Beautiful South (brass orchestrator on the Universal/Mercury album Painting it Red) and Peter Gabriel. He was brass orchestrator on the Universal album Together, featuring the ISB and Lesley Garrett (nominated as Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brit Awards).
Peter Graham lives in Cheshire (and occasionally Scotland!) with his wife Janey, son Ryan and daughter Megan.
Hello Peter, just stopping by to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Also, superb orchestrations featured on the CD 'THE SALVATION ARMY TOGETHER' Congratulations!! Kind regards, Martyn
Hi Peter, nice to have found you here! In fact the music on my profile might not really reflect all the aspects of music I enjoy playing. I always wanted to meet you when I was leaving in the UK, but...never happened. The nearest was your brother in Croydon SA. I admire your work as a composer and would like one day to be able to learn from the best!
Hey Peter, Been meaning to drop you a line, thought Dyke's Montage in Manchester last month was superb, as was the whole programme. Still your best work for my money.
I really appreciate the help you gave me for the conducting paper I did on "Harrison's Dream last term." My teacher said it rekindled his love for the piece, and we're currently working on it this semester! Thanks again!!
Hello Peter, just to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....... also, what a fantastic UK Premier of Harrison's Dream a few weeks ago. Great to see you again ~ Best wishes, Martyn
Hey Peter, Thanks for the add, I admire all your work. I played several works of you with bands like "Kempenbloei Achel" and Brassband NLBB with conductor Ivan Meylemans. I myself am finishing my conducting studies with teacher Kevin Houben this year and going to perfom normally your Shine as the light as my final exam.
Thank you for adding me. I am very glad! Your music is very splendid. It is healed very much when I listen. I support you from now on. have a wonderful holiday season.
I just wanted to say thanks for the email! It provided a great deal of insight on the piece, and I'm even more excited now to get into the analysis of it. I look forward to discussing some more aspects of the piece with you in the near future. Thanks so much for your help!
Hello Peter, just wondering....... are you familiar with these works by Novak? Lady Godiva, Op.41 Toman and the Wood Nymph, Op.40 and De profundis, Op.67 ~ incredible stuff....... I can't get enough!
We are very honored to be a friend of yours. We admire your music. Actually one of our tunes, Vägen ut, is inspired by your arrangement Hine e Hine. Brass band is life!
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