Geoff Walker MA(Cantab)MMus ALCM
I was born and raised in Edinburgh, some time back in the last century. Despite sharing antecedents with Edvard Grieg, I showed little early inclination towards music, but my interest bloomed when I began violin and piano lessons at the age of eleven. While I did not allow late-onset music addiction to interfere with my cricket and golf, I did attend the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, part-time, to study violin, piano and composition.
Shortly afterwards, I was awarded an academic scholarship to study at King's College Cambridge and, after graduation, gained a master's degree (composition, jazz and aesthetics) at Edinburgh University.
Subsequently, I underwent a couple of years of accountancy training with a large financial institution, then returned to King's to read for a PhD. I turned out not to be a dedicated research scholar, although it took some time to establish this beyond a doubt. I found, however, that I enjoyed teaching, and taught a diverse range of practical and academic musical subjects for several years.
Continuing my varied career path, I joined a small computer company and then worked as a freelance musician until I was recruited by Signal Processors Ltd, an exciting hi-tech company located on the Cambridge Science Park. I worked there for nearly twenty years, rising to Finance Director and acquiring the ACIS qualification en route. I was rescued from the need to slave for hire when a buy-out deal with a USA group provided the wherewithal for early retirement.
As a student I had composed prolifically, especially for the stage. I was approached by two media companies, but I didn't see my future as a television composer.
During the long business years, although I did less composing, I served as Musical Director of the Cambridge Sinfonietta and leader of the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. I also continued to teach privately. Seeking to develop my piano technique, I studied privately with Philip Mead and gained a diploma in piano performance.
I returned to composing a few years ago and have found the growing level of interest in my music both rewarding and stimulating. I write, these days, in a tonal - often light - style and enjoy composing for unusual ensembles and mixed-ability groups. My work has recently been performed in Scotland, England, Wales and South America and has been published and recorded by Absolute Zero and June Emerson Wind.