Darren Fellows

Darren Fellows (born 1975) is one of Britain's latest generation of composers whose output reveals a broad spectrum from musical theatre through orchestral, ensemble and solo pieces to film music.[1]

Born in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, Darren's music career developed rapidly, with his works having been broadcast on radio and published by the time he was 17.

His further education took him to Cardiff and London, where he trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and studied at the Royal Academy of Music.

International publishers such as Schott & Co. Ltd,[2] Warwick Music,[3] and De Haske[4] have embraced Darren's work, some of which are listed in exam board syllabi in the UK.

Many internationally renowned artists have played Darren's work including Trumpeters: Hakan Hardenberger, Alison Balsam, Allen Vizzutti, Bo Nilsson Jouko Harjanne, Thomas Gansch, John Wallace and Norwegian trumpet sensation Tine Thing Helseth. Cellist Steven Isserlis has also played Darren's compositions.

Darren has written for and dedicated music to performers such as: Guy Touvron, Tim Morrison, Dean Wright and the Female Trumpet Quartet Bella Tromba.

His music has been extensively performed in prestigious venues throughout the UK such as the Wales Millennium Centre and featured in recitals by the principal trumpeter of the Welsh National Opera. Internationally, Darren's work has been performed in France, Japan, Finland and the USA. A selection of his work has also been featured in master classes in Italy and appears in the Trinity/Guildhall exam syllabus.

Much of Darren's time is dedicated to music education and focuses his expertise mainly in working with young people, and disadvantaged groups. He has extensive experience and skills in running workshops for people with learning difficulties or physical disabilities, and is involved in training school teachers to run music workshops through Schott's education programme. Darren has also been a visiting speaker for the MA Arts Management course at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Darren plays an active role in music in Wales, and has been commissioned by local authorities to compose for a wide variety of music education projects. With a CD of his fresh new arrangements of nursery rhymes reaching number 2 in the Amazon children's album chart, Darren's music continues to be eclectic and exciting.