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Judith Bingham

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Judith Bingham
OBE
Born (1952-06-21) 21 June 1952 (age 72)
Nottingham, England
Occupation(s)Composer, singer

Judith Bingham OBE (born 21 June 1952) is an English composer and mezzo-soprano singer. She was a member of the BBC Singers from 1983 to 1995. She is a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music. Bingham won the 1977 BBC Young Composer Award, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2020 for services to music.

Early life and education

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Bingham was born on 21 June 1952, in Nottingham.[1][2] Her parents are Jack Bingham and Peggy Bingham (née McGowan).[3] She was educated at High Storrs Grammar School for Girls in Sheffield,[4] and began learning singing from bass John Dethick from the age of 16.[5] Bingham attended the Royal Academy of Music from 1970 to 1973, where she received the Principal’s Prize for Music in 1972 and was elected as an associate in 1997.[3][6] Her teachers included Malcolm MacDonald, Eric Fenby, Alan Bush and John Hall (composition) and Jean Austin-Dobson (singing).[2]

Career

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After graduation, she continued her composition studies privately with Hans Keller (1974–80).[2] Bingham won the BBC Young Composer Award in 1977, although she has since withdrawn the work that won.[7][2]

She was made a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music in 2005.[8] She was a member of the BBC Singers from 1983 to 1995, and has composed music for them and the Finchley Children's Music Group.[2][3][6] Bingham's works have been widely performed and broadcast, and she has composed music for television and radio.[6][9][2]

Bingham was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to music.[10] She was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Aberdeen in 2018.[5]

Personal life

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In 1985, she married Andrew Petrow but the marriage dissolved in 2011.[3]

List of works

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Most of Bingham's compositions are voice or choral, but she also began composing for brass bands in the 1980s.[2] She writes church and organ music, and has composed seven Missa Brevis. Works include:[6][2]

  • Flynn, opera, subtitled Music-theatre on the life and times of Errol Flynn, in three scenes, three solos, four duets, a mad song and an interlude, 1977–78.[11]
  • Chartres (orchestral), 1988
  • Beyond Redemption (orchestral), 1994–5
  • The Temple at Karnak (orchestral), 1996[12]
  • Passaggio (concerto for bassoon and orchestra), 1998
  • The Shooting Star (concerto for trumpet and orchestra), 1999
  • Salt in the Blood (for choir and brass orchestra), 1995
  • The Darkness Is No Darkness (for choir and organ), 1993
  • The Snows Descend (for brass orchestra), 1997
  • First Light (for choir and brass orchestra), 2001
  • Bright Spirit (for wind ensemble), 2001
  • Mass (2003)
  • The Secret Garden (Botanical fantasy for SATB and organ), 2004
  • Leonardo (concerto for bassoon and thirteen Strings), (2012)
  • Ghostly Grace (for choir and organ), 2015
  • Watch With Me (Anthem for Somme 100 Vigil), 2016
  • Elsewhere (Clarinet quintet), 2024

References

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  • S. Fuller and N. LeFanu, eds.: 'Reclaiming the Muse', Contemporary Music Review, xi (1994), 37
  • 'Composer in interview: Judith Bingham': Mark Doran in conversation with Judith Bingham, Tempo, Vol 58, No.230 (2004)

Notes

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  1. ^ "[Judith Bingham - Four Minute Mile] notes by Paul Serotsky". www.musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Calam, Toni (1994). Sadie, Julie Anne; Samuel, Rhian (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Women Composers (1st ed.). MacMillan. p. 63. ISBN 0-333-515986.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bingham, Judith Caroline, (born 21 June 1952), composer". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U7547. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Debrett's People Of Today 2011". login.exacteditions.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Judith Bingham Music - Composers Edition". Composers Edition. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Cohen, Aaron I. (1987). International Encyclopedia of Women Composers (2nd ed.). South Africa: Books & Music (USA). pp. 82–83. ISBN 0-9617485-0-8.
  7. ^ "Bingham". NMC. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Fellows and Honorary Members". Royal Northern College of Music.
  9. ^ "Judith Bingham: a very spiritual composer". Classical Music. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  10. ^ "No. 62866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 2019. p. N11.
  11. ^ 'Judith Bingham in Interview', Tempo, No.58 (2004), pp. 20–36
  12. ^ BBC – Music – Judith Bingham, Archived 22 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine www.bbc.co.uk
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