A year of musical success for New College English lecturer

It's music to his ears - an English lecturer from New College is singing his praises as his musical compositions hit the right chord as "bestsellers".

As well as Lecturing at New College Swindon, Euan Tait is known as a Librettist, he writes text for musical work, particularly opera and choral pieces. This year has been one of great success for Euan with a number of awards and premiers to his name. 

After completing a degree in English Language and Literature at Hull University, Euan went on to study for an MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University.Since 2014, having completed a PGCE at Cardiff University, Euan has been a Lecturer in English at New College Swindon. 

In March this year, Euan premiered his text, with composer Chris Hutchings. "We are One Voice" premiered at the Beaconsfield Choir Festivaland the piece went on to win an international Children's Choir competition in Hong Kong. Euan also had several premieres earlier this year in the United States. He worked with composer, Kim Andre Arnesen, to produce the text to accompany his music. Three of the songs were published by a major international record label and the CD became a bestseller.

This year will continue to be one of success for Euan, as autumn will see a number of premieres of his work with composers in London.  The new professional group ‘Philomel’will be singing Janet Oates' setting of his St. Cecilia texts. Euan has also been commissioned to write a text for the International Choral Conductor Course, to be premiered throughout the weekend of the 20/21st October at the Royal Academy of Music, London. In November a girls’ school in Marylebone will be performing some of his work in the Swiss Church, Endell Street in Covent Garden, London. Euan has been working with the school this year on an educational project. 

Speaking of his success, Euan said: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with outstanding international choral composers such as Kim Andre Arnesen, Timothy Tharaldson and Paul Spicer. This has resulted in two choral symphonies, a multi-movement Christmas work, and a number of shorter pieces, some of which are best sellers. ‘Flight Song’, for example, has so many different performance videos on YouTube and has sold over one thousands of copies."