John Arran
John's musical education was at the Royal Manchester College of Music where he studied guitar, composition and piano. His subsequent career has included teaching the guitar at the Royal Manchester College, later the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Lancaster. He is well known as a guitar recitalist, his London solo debut being at the Wigmore Hall. He has performed in many differing musical genres including concertos, chamber music and solo performances encompassing many musical styles from the renaissance to the present day.
His compositions include concertos for both guitar and orchestra and flute and chamber orchestra; two musicals for young person’s theatre; solo guitar pieces and the song cycles On Wenlock Edge for baritone and piano; Orkney Lyrics for soprano, guitar and viola and Mast of Hankies for soprano and guitar. South from Granada was written for the Duo Alhert and has been performed by them Worldwide.
John and Bernard Moorhead, a Cheshire based guitar enthusiast, came up with a plan to start a guitar circle in Chester. The luthier Martin Fleeson also became one of the three founder members. This was in the early 1970s, probably '75 or '76. The first meetings were held in the Arts Centre which was in the building that has now become the library in Northgate Street. Meetings initially focused on recitals and apart from myself, the guitarists featured in these early days included Neil Smith, Steve Gordon, Gerry Garcia. It was also thought important to include young performers who were then coming from the Music colleges.
The Circle had a number of venues following the Arts Centre, the Bear and Billet was tried until the Deaf Centre became the permanent home.
John started the Chester Guitar Circle and has taken a number of CGC masterclasses and guitar orchestral performances.
His compositions include concertos for both guitar and orchestra and flute and chamber orchestra; two musicals for young person’s theatre; solo guitar pieces and the song cycles On Wenlock Edge for baritone and piano; Orkney Lyrics for soprano, guitar and viola and Mast of Hankies for soprano and guitar. South from Granada was written for the Duo Alhert and has been performed by them Worldwide.
John and Bernard Moorhead, a Cheshire based guitar enthusiast, came up with a plan to start a guitar circle in Chester. The luthier Martin Fleeson also became one of the three founder members. This was in the early 1970s, probably '75 or '76. The first meetings were held in the Arts Centre which was in the building that has now become the library in Northgate Street. Meetings initially focused on recitals and apart from myself, the guitarists featured in these early days included Neil Smith, Steve Gordon, Gerry Garcia. It was also thought important to include young performers who were then coming from the Music colleges.
The Circle had a number of venues following the Arts Centre, the Bear and Billet was tried until the Deaf Centre became the permanent home.
John started the Chester Guitar Circle and has taken a number of CGC masterclasses and guitar orchestral performances.