Zachaeus

I am a practicing professional composer with many years of experience in the industry. I have recently completed my PhD in music composition at the University of Birmingham, which received substantial financial support from the AHRC-funded Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership. I am currently a Teaching Fellow in the Academic Writing Advisory Service in the College of Arts and Law at the University of Birmingham. I hold degrees from Leeds College of Music (BA Hons in Classical Music) studying as a trumpet player and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (Masters in Composition) studying as a composer and reader in music. In 2016 I co-founded Post-Paradise Series, where as co-curator and project manager I produced many new music concerts and secured funding from Arts Council England, RVW Trust and Hinrichsen Foundation.

I have previously received commissions from established music organisations throughout the UK and Europe such as Ensemble Klang (NL), Orkest de Ereprijs (NL), and Post-Paradise Series (UK). More recently, I was resident artistic researcher at the Orpheus Institute (BE), and have had work installed at BEAST (Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre) FEaST 2022 and NIME (New Interfaces for Musical Expression) 2021. I have performed my music extensively under the experimental electronic music duo 7balcony at venues such as: Centrala Art Gallery; Supersonic Festival; Eastside Projects.

Tutoring Experience

COMPOSITION, MUSIC & MUSIC TECHNOLOGY, MUSIC THEORY:

I have experience working with students interested in writing notated and instrumental music as well as those exploring electroacoustic or music composed through electronic means. With extensive experience teaching privately, in school settings, and at higher education institutions, I use music technology as an aid to teach composition to students, some of whom have no previous instrumental or compositional experience. I am well-equipped to teach music theory to beginner and intermediate students and have knowledge of software such as: Logic Pro; Ableton Live; Reaper; Cubase; Sibelius.

My expertise spans western classical music, with particular interests in renaissance and baroque periods, through years of working and performing as a trumpet player, composer and reader of music. I am equally well-read in 20th Century music and 21st Century composition practices and techniques. Current research areas include; net-art, new media art, conceptual art/music, electronic and computer music, as well as the use of avant-garde practices in experimental pop music.

TRUMPET:

I have extensive experience teaching trumpet to students of various ages and abilities, having previously taught in schools and privately for 14 years. I have taught trumpet students with no prior experience in music and can adapt depending on the ability and musical experience of the student. Since studying as a trumpeter at university, I have gained and refined teaching skills in the development of a core technique, strong and consistent sound production, and key listening skills and musicianship. I ensure students focus on their breathing but also how they are producing a sound in order for cognitive and muscle memory to develop.

ACADEMIC WRITING:

As a Teaching Fellow within the Academic Writing Advisory Service in the College of Arts and Law at the University of Birmingham, I am highly knowledgeable of university requirements for academic writing. I currently teach a cross section of undergraduate and postgraduate students from many arts-based disciplines and can teach students wanting to improve their writing skills in advance of starting their degree. I can give guidance on structuring academic essays, developing ideas in written form, argumentation, citation, and editing and proofreading.

Tutoring Approach

I have an adaptive and enthusiastic teaching style and I put the needs of the student front and centre. I use simple language and analogies as an aid to explain complex technical terminology and I am able to deconstruct theoretical aspects of music in simple terms.

If you are looking to gain new skills in music, I can transfer knowledge gained from years as a practicing artist and have the ability to clearly articulate aesthetic and technical aspects across a wide range of musics. I have skills in critical thinking and analysis, both on written and compositional work, which is key to music theory and analysis.