Composer and Arranger   Robert Ramskill was born in Leeds. He studied music at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He now lives and works in Coventry.   He has developed a style of composition which combines jazz influences with classical forms to produce works which are of serious intent but which audiences find approachable and enjoyable. The main themes of his output have been the writing of works for piano, for brass (solo and ensemble) and for orchestra though he has also composed a number of chamber and choral works).   Notable recent works include "Jazz Impromptu" for violin and piano (performed in the Purcell Room in December 2001 by Adam and Catherine Summerhayes, and also commercially recorded by them on the Sargasso label) and "3 Bagatelles for 2 Pianos" (played by Julian Hellaby and Peter Noke at venues in Coventry, Dartington, Lancaster, Leicester, Radley and at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham in May 2004). A commercial recording of this work is due for release in April 2007.   Another strand within Robert Ramskill's output has been the production of many works for youth orchestras (and other groups of young musicians) which have been much enjoyed for their integration of lyrical appeal and rhythmic excitement with contemporary idioms. These works are considered challenging yet rewarding. A recent example of this aspect of his output is "Music for the Film of the Book", a 20 minute piece commissioned by the Birmingham Schools' Concert Orchestra and first performed by them in May 2002 in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham.   Again in "educational" vein, Robert Ramskill has written some 30 albums of music for brass instruments for the publisher Brasswind Publications (see www.brasswindpublications.co.uk). Pieces from the solo albums involved here have been set by all the major music practical examination boards since the late 1980�s.   He has also had works published by Boosey and Hawkes and by Warwick Music (see www.warwickmusic.com).   In addition to his work as a composer, Robert Ramskill is also much in demand as an arranger, most notably perhaps, in his work as one the regular arrangers for BBC Television "Songs of Praise" programme (with, at a rough estimate, a total of 200 arrangements to his credit to date). These arrangements have included several written for large choral/orchestral forces assembled in the Albert Hall for such programmes as the "Songs of Praise 40th Anniversary" and "The Big Sing". For details of recent arrangements see www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/songsofpraise.   Since moving to Coventry in 1975 Robert Ramskill has worked as a music lecturer, initially at the Coventry School of Music and currently as Course Leader for the music degree courses at Coventry University. During this time he feels that he has played a small part in making new generations of music students aware of the importance of traditional musical values. The other great benefit has been that working with young musicians for 30 years has enabled him to keep in touch with contemporary developments in music.   Significant Works Sample Scores E-Mail Robert Ramskill Contact address: 142 Woodside Avenue South, Green Lane, Coventry CV3 6BE, telephone/fax. 02476 410325