Gary Higginson [born 1952]

Born in West Bromwich, Gary Higginson is a freelance composer, examiner, singer and writer on music, with especial interest in the Medieval and Renaissance periods and in 20th Century Music.

He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning composition privately with Edmund Rubbra and orchestration with Patric Standford, modern techniques with Buxton Orr and analysis with Alfred Nieman. Later, when a student at Birmingham University, he continued composition studies under John Joubert.

Now based near Ulverston, Gary is a member of the Lakeland Composers. He has written over 200 compositions, covering every genre. These include several orchestral works, two operas for young people, five string quartets, a great deal of church and Christmas music, a Piano Quartet, solo sonatas for every standard woodwind and string instrument, songs and song-cycles, educational music, music for voices, piano solo, flute solo etc., pieces for brass band and military, and a great deal more. Aside from the music published by Fand Music Press, listed below, a few of Garyʼs pieces are published by Fagus Music.

As a first study singer at the Guildhall School, Gary trained as a counter-tenor, singing mainly medieval and renaissance music with Philip Pickettʼs New London Consort and also with the John Alldis Choir. Later he became a lay clerk and has continued to sing professionally, uniquely both as a counter-tenor and as a tenor.

Gary has written a range of articles on English composers, including for the British Music Society and The Composer magazine. All British music is of interest to him, but especially ancient and modern. He has produced articles on English Renaissance polyphonic composers, the music of Buxton Orr and the music of Carey Blyton.

Gary has taught and lectured regularly on British music, and has particularly enjoyed contact with Gramophone Societies throughout the country. He has held office as: