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Harvey Brough composer and performer, is one of the UK’s most accomplished and diverse musicians. He is unique in his ability to work with the finest professional musicians and complete beginners (both children and adults), often side by side.

Many of his compositions bring these forces together, with remarkable results. He has been promoting Community music for many years before it became a popular movement.

Harvey sang as a chorister at Coventry Cathedral before studying at the Royal Academy of Music and Clare College, Cambridge. Since then he has worked as a freelance performer, arranger, conductor, producer and composer. Harvey and the Wallbangers had great success in the 1980s throughout Europe, recording four albums and one called Jazz on EMI, with Simon Rattle.

His compositions have been performed at the Barbican, Royal Opera House, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Cadogan Hall, Union Chapel, Kings Place, Turner Sims Southampton, Usher Hall Edinburgh and many other major venues.

Film/TV/Theatre credits include working as Co-Producer and Arranger with Jocelyn Pook on the music for The Merchant of Venice and Eyes Wide Shut. Music for BBC2 10 part series In a Land of Plenty. Musical Director and Composer for Her Naked Skin by Rebecca Lenkiewicz in the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London.

Compositions include:

Requiem in Blue (1999), winner of the Andrew Milne prize (Arts Council UK), has been performed more than 40 times all over the UK and Europe, involving thousands of singers of all ages.

Valete in Pace (2004), commissioned by the cities of Caen and Portsmouth for the 60th anniversary of D day – for three choirs and orchestra. These were both released on CD in 2010 (Smudged Discs SMU603).

A Fairy Dream (2009) An operatic fragment based around 5 movements from Purcell’s Fairy Queen. For two choirs of children, soloists, choir and baroque orchestra, first performed at the Barbican, London.

Beached, an opera with librettist Lee Hall, premiered in 2011 by Opera North.

For the last five years, Harvey has been composer in residence and patron of VOX HOLLOWAY, co directing their concerts with VH’s founder Justin Butcher. They present a regular series of innovative concerts, occasionally including staples of the choral repertoire, but mostly creating new and eclectic programmes.

In September 2012 Harvey was made the Turner Sims Professor of Music at the University of Southampton. He started a new university community choir USV and has performed with students and professionals in concerts and workshops at the university. This post has been made permament and he is now also an Associate Professor in Music.