VOCAL COACH

Over a period of 25 years, I’ve coached singers in a variety of musical styles for recordings, TV appearances, stage musicals and operas.

I’ve also worked with and composed for choirs (at Lancaster University in 1981, at Michael Hall 2001-6) and vocal harmony groups (see below).

In the process, I’ve become acquainted with a wide range of vocal traditions and their repertoires, including early musics, folksong, operatic and choral music, US and European musical theatre, as well as most contemporary popular styles.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND TEACHER

Coming from a family of teachers and having functioned as musical director and teacher for twenty-five years (including 5 years as Head of Music at Michael Hall), I find that communicating music to people of all ages and abilities - on technical, organisational and inspirational levels - comes naturally.

Guiding orchestral and instrumental groups towards a high level of performance is also second nature (and something of a passion).

In any environment, I assume a happy disposition and get on with everyone - even with Covent Garden Project, where the opera singers rolled in about midday, demanding tea breaks, and the composer refused to attend.

When teaching piano and violin, I’m forever composing little pieces and studies specifically for the students. I also encourage improvisation and composition. It is important that students love what they’re doing and look forward to their lessons.

Here’s a blow-by-blow account

My Dad, Eric, was 18 and had composed an operetta, which the Theater An Der Wien were considering for production, when Hitler marched into Vienna and Eric had to get out.

Born in Hammersmith in 1951, from the age of four I was taught piano and songwriting by Eric and violin at school from the age of six. My Mum, Margaret, got me interested in theatre and art.

At Holland Park Comprehensive School, I became soloist with the choir, leader of the first orchestra and conductor of the second orchestra.

I also studied harmony and orchestration at Trinity College of Music on saturdays.

Whatever else was gong on, from the age of 15, I was always writing and composing. I am indebted to Eric and Margaret for these enduring passions.

1969 Completing my A level music on the friday, by monday I was acting and playing violin in the premiere production of FORTY YEARS ON at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London (with a stunning cast, including John Gielgud, Paul Eddington and Alan Bennett).

1970 Lived in Vienna, where I wrote a song cycle, a rather bad novel and caught fleas.

1971-2 Ran an art agency and silkscreen printers to promote the work of young artists and co-founded the Woodfoot Craft Centre in Dumfriesshire.

1973 Marriage to Sara, travelling through Southeast Asia, where she left me and I wrote another bad novel.

1974 Co-editing and publishing an underground comic magazine called It’s All Lies.

1975 Formed a band called The Hi-Tones (Drums, guitars, piano, cello and violin) for which I wrote and arranged the songs, got the gigs and printed the posters.

1976 Composing songs for another band, China Red. Also songs and incidental music for the premiere production of DUSA FISH STAS AND VI by Pam Gems at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

1977 Another band, Quill, which I didn’t run, but which made loads of money, allowing me to pay my debts. Also soundtrack music for a series of educational films and jingles for advertisements (Guinness etc.).

1978 – 82

Whilst working for the Actors' Touring Company, I auditioned and fell in love with Denise Black. When she went off on their "world tour", I got depressed and broke my ankle.

1998 - 2001

Having not seen enough of my children, I decided to give writing for theatre a miss for a while. I concentrated on cab driving, writing 2 novels, teaching singing, violin and piano.

2001 - 6

HEAD OF MUSIC / MICHAEL HALL

In 2001 I got a call from Michael Hall, the Rudolph Steiner school my kids had just started at. Would I consider applying to become the music teacher? Well, I had no qualifications, no school-teaching experience. There was no way I was going to get the job. And, despite our poverty, I didn’t want it… I remember entering a dark hall where all the teachers sat in a circle, staring at me. I said “This isn’t the most intimidating entrance I’ve had to make. I once had to go onstage after a female poet had ended with the line: All men are rapists”. To my surprise, the teachers laughed.

Weeks later, hurrying down the stairs to my first lesson, I suddenly realised: I’m going to have to face CHILDREN. I’m going to make a fool of myself… And I did. And I fell in love with the kids. And for 5 years we made music…

2006 -

Moved to Brighton. Children now young adults. Got a lovely little terraced house with a sea view. No big deals on the horizon, thankfully. Mid-50s, time to do what I want. What’s that? Fuck knows. Anyhow, so far:

paulsand@hotmail.co.uk, 07896 251 994.

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