Tuition

As a composition teacher, I work at all levels, and have taught from age 11 to university undergraduate level. If you’re interested in receiving private composition lessons, or arranging a session of specialist tuition for a school class, please contact me. I’m based in Edinburgh, but for one-off classes I can travel elsewhere – online tuition is also available.

Download my guide to choral ranges for composers – this is a sample of my teaching materials.

I taught at the University of Glasgow for four years, including one-to-one composition lessons, and have given masterclasses to schools in Edinburgh, Dundee and Manchester.

“Thank you so much again for coming down to Manchester recently. I really enjoyed meeting you and talking about your work and about composing in general. The students greatly benefited from the masterclass sessions, and were buzzing about it for some time afterwards. I think they have “borrowed” a few of your ideas (the mobiles cropped up in one piece soon afterwards!). You pitched it exactly right in terms of helpful comments and constructive criticism.” – Jeremy Pike, head of Composition, Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester

If you’re interested in working towards qualifications in composition, I’m happy to work with you on LCM composition examinations, postgraduate qualifications in composition, or portfolios for broader academic qualifications.

Composition topics include use of music notation software, writing for particular instruments or voices, structure, coming up with ideas, developing ideas into pieces, and more. Vocal music is a particular speciality of mine, but I also have extensive experience in writing for instruments.

I can also offer advice on marketing your compositions, getting works performed and recorded, and finding and entering composition competitions.

For more information, or to book a lesson or masterclass, please email chris@hutchingsmusic.co.uk.