composer - educator - performer
...I would like to express my gratitude to Chris Best, my composition tutor, for his encouragement and support.... His inspirational tutorials and enlightened seminars have been of a great value for my personal development as a young aspiring composer...
...Incredibly passionate about his craft and willing to go over and above for students. Always available for advice and feedback. Just an absolute pleasure to be taught by.
Chris has had over thirty years of experience in education work. After cutting his teeth on adult education work he went on to design and run the country's first H.N.D. and BA Degree courses in composition at Coventry University. In 1998, he became senior lecturer and subsequently Reader in Music Composition at Dartington College of Arts in South Devon. In September 2010, Chris relocated to Falmouth University in Cornwall. He has twice been Musical Director of the Composers/ Choreographers Exchange at the South Bank in London and has conducted similar workshops in Manchester, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Malta. He also co-directed the Music and Dance Exchange (m&de) at Dartington College with internationally acclaimed choreographer Emilyn Claid.
With former student Catherine Hornig. Photo courtesy Elana Solomon
As a former 'Reader in Music Composition' at Dartington College of Arts and now Senior Lecturer and Head of Composition at Falmouth University, Chris has given tutorials and seminars in contemporary composition practice, lectures in many aspects of new music and extensive performance coaching. He teaches at undergraduate, masters and doctoral level and has delivered numerous guest lectures at home and abroad.
Chris identifies close connections between his teaching and creative work. Over the years many of his compositions have been either written for students and colleagues or performed by them. He has consistently drawn upon the colleges' wealth of unusual instruments (always a goldmine for the composer) including a range of Ghanaian drums and percussion and a Balinese Gamelan orchestra. He encourages students to challenge the limitations of their own instruments by exploring non-standard tunings or playing methods.
Having participated in the 'Composers and Choreographers Exchange' at the South Bank Centre in 1996, Chris went on to become its music director for two years and from there continued similar work in Madrid and Manchester. Between 2005 and 2007 he worked alongside the choreographer Emilyn Claid, running the annual Music and Dance Exchange at Dartington College.
Chris Best ... expertly facilitated the Music & Dance collaboration and was an important influence in expanding my sense of the incredible possibilities for this field... I believe this experience has left an imprint that continues to inform my aesthetics years later.
Chris can offer a wide range of workshops and lectures in composition related activity covering all age groups from age 12 upwards, either as one-off events or as a sequential package. He is also available for private composition coaching, mentoring or consultation work including help with score/part-writing, questions of orchestration, notation, layout etc. For availability and rates, or to discuss your ideas and needs, please use the Contact page.