Profile:Dan Phelps
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Dan Phelps is a composer and pianist who was born in Birmingham in 1981. He has been composing since he was nine years old and started piano lessons at the age of eleven.
Education
After receiving a BTEC National Diploma in Popular Music from New College Telford, Shropshire, he then went on to study Music at Bath Spa University College where he received a BA (Hons) Degree and has recently received a Post Graduate Diploma in Composition from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
Multimedia
Since Dan has been living in Cardiff he has composed music for a number of professional organisations and individuals including Rubicon Dance, India Dance Wales, Elan Wales (a theatre company) and Calon TV (an animation company) amongst others. For Calon TV Dan was responsible for composing the music for one of their animation 'Trailers' "Are We There Yet"
Dan continues to work very closely with two poets, Jeff Phelps and Simon Fletcher, on a collaboration project Severn Spirit. The collaboration combines the original solo piano works of Dan Phelps with the poems and stories of Jeff Phelps and Simon Fletcher. In October 2006 the trio performed at a sold out performance at the Bewdley Festival.
Chamber Music
Dan has been involved with numerous chamber ensembles including the Gjylaci Duo who have given a world premiere performance of his Violin and Guitar piece (Episodic Dreams) at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, as well as performing it again as part of the 'Monday Night Musicales' season organised by the Royal Northern College of Music.
His Piano and Cello piece "Minimum Vs. Maximum" was premiered by Harvey Davies (piano) and Heather Bills (cello) at the Powys Hall at the University of Wales Bangor, as part of the Bangor Music Festival in March 2006. This concert was co-organised by the Composers of Wales which Dan is a member of. For more information about the Composers of Wales, please visit their website at [1]
Dan has also had his piece "The Empty Head" for two Clarinets and Bassoon premiered by Ensemble Cymru in June 2006. The piece was premiered in Mold, North Wales and was then played throughout Wales in a six date tour.
In June 2006 Dan had his Viola and Piano piece "Twisted Fairground" Premiered by Philip Heyman (of Welsh National Opera) and Zoe Smith at the Wales Millennium Centre in June 2006.
Work
Dan currently works at the Wales Millennium Centre leading educational music workshops for children. As well as this he is also a member and an associate composer of the Cardiff New Music Collective, who specialise in performing contemporary music to new audiences and have performed at the Chapter Arts Centre, the Wales Millennium Centre, Canton Uniting Church, Trinity College Carmarthen and Aberystwyth Arts Centre. They also have more concerts planned for early 2007. For more information about Cardiff New Music Collective please visit their website at www.cnmc.moonfruit.com
Compositions
The Dark, Blue Secret (2007)
Written for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano. This piece was written for Cardiff New Music Collective and is planned for premiere in autumn 2007
Repercussions (2006)
Written for Flutes, Clarinets, Viola, Cello, Guitar and Piano. This piece was commissioned by Cardiff New Music Collective and was premiered in January 2007
The Empty Head (2006)
Written for two Clarinets and Bassoon. This piece was premiered in Mold in June 2006 by Ensemble Cymru and was then played throughout Wales on a six-date tour.
Twisted Fairground (2006)
Written for Viola and Piano. This piece was premiered at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in June 2006 by Philip Heyman (of Welsh National Opera) and Zoe Smith.
Minimum Vs. Maximum (2006)
Written for Piano and Cello. This piece was premiered by the Composers of Wales in March 2006 as part of the Bangor Music festival.
Compromise (2006)
Written for Flute and Clarinet. This piece was premiered as part of a wedding service in February 2006
Episodic Dreams (2005)
Written for Violin and Guitar. This piece was premiered by the Gjylaci Duo at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester in January 2006 and performed again by the Duo as part of the 'Monday Night Musicales' season organised by the Royal Northern College of Music in February 2006
Friction (2005)
Written for Piano, Cello, Violin, Clarinets and Flute/Piccolo. Planned for Premiere by Cardiff New Music Collective in 2008.
The Dictation (2005)
Written for Brass Quintet. Planned for premiere in 2008
Stifled (2005)
Written for String Quartet. This piece was premiered by the Mavron Quartet at The Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff in June 2007
Fears And Dreams (2005)
Electronic piece written for Rubicon Dance. The collaborative work was performed at the Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff in May 2005
Hyperactive (2005)
Written for Piano, Eb Clarinet and Piccolo. Premiered in March 2005 as part of a composers' concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
Exploring the Atmosphere (Tones and Moods) (2005)
Written for Solo Piano and premiered as part of a composers' concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in February 2005
The Fly In The Cradle (2005)
Written for solo Bass Clarinet. Planned for premiere in 2008.
Knackered (2005)
Written for Symphony Orchestra. Performed by the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Symphony Orchestra in January 2005.
Sisters (2004)
Written for Piano, Violin and Cello. A set of four miniatures commissioned by a choreographer from Rubicon Dance in Cardiff for a short movement film.
Taming the Clarinet (2004)
Written for Clarinet and Piano. This piece was premiered as part of a composers' concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in March 2005
Not Close Enough (2004)
Written for Piano, Viola, Guitar, Clarinets and Flute/Piccolo. Premiered by the In Transit Ensemble in June 2004 as part of the launch concert for the group at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
The Curious Hypnotist (2004)
Written for Clarinet, Bassoon and Contrabassoon. Premiered as part of a composers' concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff in May 2004
Bassoon Where Needed (2004)
Written for Piano and Bassoon. Premiered as part of a composers' concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in March 2004
Mechanical Failure (2003)
Written for Clarinets, Oboe and Bassoon. Premiered as part of a composers' concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in December 2003.
The Flamingo (2003)
Written for Bass Clarinet, Oboe, Viola, Cello and Harp. Premiered by Okeanos in a performance at Bath Spa University College in May 2003.
Contact
For more information about Dan Phelps, his work, or any forthcoming concerts and events, please do not hesitate to contact him.
e-mail: dan_phelps81@yahoo.co.uk
or visit his website: www.compositiontoday.com/danphelps
