Steve Currington - Composer

I have been a musician since the age of 7 when I started learning the trombone. Not long after starting lessons however, my parents decided to move from their home in Luton, Bedfordshire, England to New Zealand. On arriving in New Zealand I almost immediately took up lessons again, this time on the cornet. Brass banding has been a bit of a family tradition. My father learned to play the baritone as a youth but taught himself percussion, which was his forte (sorry about the pun) and passion all throughout the rest of his life.

I continued my brass banding interests for about 30 years, until my early 40’s. I have played virtually all instruments in the brass band (traditional “British style”) throughout my banding career but my favourite instruments being those in the bass end of the band. I’ve spent most of my time playing EEb bass (similar to a Tuba).

I am also an enthusiastic vocalist. From my youth I have sung in church choirs, stage shows and, over the years, barbershop quartet and barbershop choruses. Unaccompanied male vocal singing is another real passion of mine and during my singing career I have been lucky enough to win numerous Bronze, Silver and Gold medals in barbershop quartet (The Razor’s Edge) and chorus (the Harbour Capital Chorus) national and international contests. I have also travel/toured to various countries during my singing “career” including Australia, Hawaii and all over continental USA. I have had the immense pleasure of coaching quartets, including some that have progressed to national gold medal and international medal status.

All of the above musical activity has been at an amateur level but I have now decided to turn professional by taking my passion for music even further and into the realm of composing and musicology. To this end I became a “mature” university student and have worked to complete a degree in music.

In early 2008 I successfully graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music from Victoria University of Wellington with a double major in "Vocal and Instrumental Composition" and in "History and Literature (Musicology)".

(ref above graduation photo taken in 2008) .

In 2009 I completed my Bachelor of Music Honours post graduate degree majoring in Composition from the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM). I also studied orchestration, arranging and music in sound, time and space as part of this honours degree.

The NZSM is the combined music colleges of Victoria University and Massey University in New Zealand. During my university process I have studied composition & orchestration, under well known New Zealand composers: John Psathas, Michael Norris, Jack Body, Stephan Proc, Dugal McKinnon and orchestral conductor and composer, Kenneth Young.

I am now considering further post graduate study (in composition or orchestration) at Masters level at the New Zealand School of Music. Maybe one day I will complete doctoral level study in music. I guess only time will tell!

I have also been delving into recording and mixing.

I have done papers on mixing and synths etc. at the NZSM and have really enjoyed it. It has really whetted my appetite for this form of music and music production. I think it will also be useful for helping to realise some of my compositions using electronic means and will help expand my sonic landscape. The skills will also be good for composing live and recorded combination works. I intend doing a few more papers on this and have expanded my composition studio to include this capability.

I am a member of the Composers Association of New Zealand (CANZ) and the New Zealand Musicological Society. I am the recipient of the 2008 NZFGW - Ella C Wilson Award and, in 2008, 2 music awards/grants from the Lankhuyzen/Whetu Kairangi Masonic Trust that are given to students studying university level music.

I am always available to accept or discuss potential commissions for compositions. Anyone interested should contact me to discuss any requirements that they may have.

The same goes with recording and mixing. If you have the voice or the performance I will mix it down into a demo or audio track for you. My rates will be fair and my work will produce just what you want.

To anyone with some spare cash out there.. I am also looking for scholarships so I can continue with my study into composition and studio mixing and production!!

Please contact me if you wish to discuss this option - your support would be really appreciated and well used.

What you should know

Name:
Steve Currington

Address:
Wellington, New Zealand
(click to see Wellington from a webcam)

Occupation:
Composer

my interests
Music
Computers
Family

my favourite music
Vocal (with a strong a cappella emphasis) “classical” Orchestral
Brass (british style brass band)

my favourite TV SHOWS
Ghost Whisperer
Why? Jennifer Love Hewitt !! Amazing actress and in this show is terrific. And her eyes get me every time. Let alone enjoying a great supernatural and parapsychology drama.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is one very classy lady that I would do anything to get to know. Just wish I was a year or two younger and we were able to meet. She is one of the few people in this world that I am sad never to have had the opportunity to meet as I think she is so beautiful a person both inwardly and outwardly. It shows in her acting, her eyes and her attitude. Refer Small Picture below.

Moonlight
Great story, can’t resist vampires and fantasy. Actress Sophia Myles, now you are talking - one british lady I would love to meet (are you listening Sophia??). Seriously I think she is a wonderful lady - I have seen her in a few movies and love her everytime..
Fabulous actress, wonderful smile and those blue eyes are to die for.
Hmm Alex, who plays Mick in the show, is a pretty cool dude too - for an Aussie <grin>. Shame they cancelled the series.

Midsomer Murders
Hmm so many deaths on one small English country village. Makes you wonder a little about where they all come from and whether Barnaby is jinxed?? Also how many people live in that small village that so many can afford to die week after week??

Torchwood
Well almost a great show but I still enjoy it. Sort of a bad mix of Dr Who and CSI but still it is fairly entertaining.

Innocence
British TV (BBC) legal drama series. Young law students, guided by a professor, help those how have been affected by serious miscarriages of justice. Ruth Bradley is one actress not to miss in this show - amazing eyes!
Gonna keep my eyes out for more shows with her in a major role.

There are plenty more but I will stop here for now.

Favorite Vacation Spot:
Lake Taupo New Zealand
(or one of the other lakes)

Personal Motto:
“Keep the whole world singing because harmony is far better than war”

PHOTOs of interest

Can you find me??

(hint: second row start looking from the right!)

And yes the Musical Director is related....