ONLINE COMPOSITION TUTORIALS (1:1)
Tom has been teaching for over a decade alongside an active career as a composer, lecturer, and producer. He studied composition at the Royal Northern College of Music (2009–15), has been a Senior Lecturer in Composition at Leeds Conservatoire for the last six years, and was recently appointed Composition Tutor at Whittle School & Studios. He was also recently conferred the title of Associate Member of RNCM.
Tom’s teaching is bespoke and highly supportive, designed to help each student build craft, confidence, and momentum.
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Tom's students have gone on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Manhattan School of Music, Royal Northern College of Music and Leeds Conservatoire.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“I’m feeling really inspired and re-energised… I owe so much of that to your teaching.”
“You have an enviable talent for teaching… anyone fortunate enough to be under your instruction is in the best hands.”
“Having Tom as my 1:1 tutor has been crucial in my improvement as a composer.”
“It’s no exaggeration to say that Tom has transformed my creative life.”
“As a teacher he’s perceptive, insightful, creative and encouraging.”
“I’ve learned so much and come a huge way under your guidance.”
WHAT I CAN HELP YOU WITH
We can decide together what you want from each session - I offer highly bespoke tutelage with a lot of experience. We'll often cover:
Composition and craft
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Harmony, pacing, and structure
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Motif and development
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Texture, balance, and clarity
Orchestration and instrumentation
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Idiomatic writing
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Register, blend, and balance
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Practical rehearsal and performance considerations
Notation and presentation
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Score readability and layout
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Parts preparation checks
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Professional presentation standards
Mock-ups and production
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Translating ideas into convincing demos
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Arrangement choices
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Practical workflows for getting pieces finished
HOW THE
SESSIONS WORK
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Send materials (score PDF, audio, or a link - anything, really!), ideally 24 hours before
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We meet online and work through the pieces
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You leave with practical next steps (and, if you want, brief written notes after)
WHO THIS IS FOR
Composers at any level who want to learn more about composition, including:
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Emerging and professional composers who want sharper craft and stronger output
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Applicants building portfolios for conservatoires and universities
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School-age musicians preparing compositions, coursework, and exams (GCSE / A-level / ABRSM)
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Composers at any level who want to learn more about composing
ONLINE STUDIO
Online sessions are designed to feel close to sitting at the same desk.
You can expect:
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High-quality video call with clear audio
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Screen- and audio-share for scores, DAW sessions, mock-ups, and annotated examples
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Real-time mark-ups and practical demonstrations
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Optional session recording (by request)
If you’re unsure which option to book, email me with a link to your score/audio, and I’ll point you to the best session length. I'd love to hear from you.