About Me

Composer Stephen Roberts is well known through his prolific output of brass arrangements, which are played by bands and ensembles across the world. His contribution to the repertoire of the Fine Arts Brass has been featured on scores of their CDs and broadcasts.

Over recent years he has developed a reputation as a versatile and imaginative composer. His output includes orchestral commissions from BBC Radio 3, film and television scores, band pieces and chamber works, as well as educational commissions for groups of varying abilities. His ability to craft interesting music within a wide variety of styles has resulted in a steady flow of commissions and performances, which have received plaudits from both performers and audiences.

Some recent performances of his music include, Sinfonia for Brass, Strings & Percussion (BBC Radio 3 commission) with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by David Atherton; The Nest Stop is ... Angel with the Britten Sinfonia conducted by Richard Baker at the Spitalfelds Festival; Breathless for the Fine Arts Brass 25th Anniversary; World Dances for brass, youth or wind band with the Parc & Dare Band and with the Sandwell Youth Band. This last work was featured in joint performances around the country as part of the 2008 Brass Band Aid appeal.

Stephen Roberts was born in London in 1952. He studied horn at the Royal College of Music with Alan Civil and afterwards gained a PHD in composition at the University of Birmingham. At Birmingham he became one of the founder members of the Fine Arts Brass, performing with them on over two thousand occasions in sixty countries. In 2000 he left the ensemble to devote more time to composing and conducting. He has been musical director of various brass bands and is Associate Conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra. He is also Professor of Orchestration at the Royal Military School of Music, London.

Stephen Roberts