Derek Williams (musician)

Derek Williams
Background information
Born (1952-09-20) 20 September 1952 (age 72)
Gisborne, New Zealand
Occupation(s)composer
arranger
conductor
producer
musician
Years active1972–present
LabelsMushroom Records
Websitederekwilliams.net

Derek Leslie Williams (born 20 September 1952) is a New Zealand-born Scottish composer, record producer, conductor and orchestrator known for his scores for Frauds, Come in Spinner, Children of the Dragon, Crush, The Crossing, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Thank God He Met Lizzie, Ring of Scorpio, The Other Side of Paradise, Visionaries, Bodysurfer, and for Glenfiddich, Sir Robert Helpmann, Grace Knight, Frank Bennett, Debbie Newsome, Torvill and Dean, and Caroline O'Connor.[1] He is currently serving his 7th term as Chair of the Wagner Society of Scotland,[2] a member of the International Association of Wagner Societies (RWVI)[3] and at the 2024 Assembly of Delegates at Deutsche Oper Berlin, was elected to serve a 5-year term on the RWVI Presidium.[4][5]

Williams was awarded a doctorate by the University of Edinburgh under Nigel Osborne and Peter Nelson for composition of his eponymous opera, Wilde,[6][7] and he is a Fellow of Trinity College London. Williams is a civil rights activist known for his 'Save Sibelius' campaign in the United Kingdom (2012–2013).[8][9][10] Since 2007, he has taught Composition and Orchestration at the Edinburgh University Reid School of Music.

  1. ^ Skiffington, Toni. (1 February 1997). 'Derek came out to find success and become a role model'. Page 14 (full page). The Daily Post (Rotorua, New Zealand)
  2. ^ "The Wagner Society of Scotland". Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  3. ^ Members > Scotland. RWVI.
  4. ^ 'Committee'. (2 June 2024). International Association of Wagner Societies.
  5. ^ ‘Wagner Society of Scotland & Sir Donald Runicles: Live Festival event and a chance to join friendly society’. 19 July 2024. The Scotsman.
  6. ^ "Derek Williams". The University of Edinburgh. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  7. ^ Christina Dunwoodie. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. (18 July 2017). Derek Williams (Composer) – Christina Dunwoodie interview. YouTube. Scotland.
  8. ^ Banks, Adam. (17 August 2012). "Avid hits bum note with Sibelius", MacUser. p.14. Publisher: Dennis Publishing (London, England)
  9. ^ Schofield, Jack. (7 August 2012). Users petition Avid to sell Sibelius music software arm. ZDNet
  10. ^ The Audio Podcast 67 Sib Synth Notation, 6 August 2012, retrieved 20 April 2023