Collection: Haigh, Howard

Howard Haigh (b. 1959 Huddersfield, UK) studied at Huddersfield School of Music, Middlesex University, and The University of London where he completed his M.Mus (Composition) in 1983. He subsequently studied with David Bedford, and one to one seminars with John Cage, George Benjamin, and Michael Finnissy; guitar courses with Paco Pena, Juan Serrano, and Manuel Granados. 

He has worked as a performer -  playing Spanish guitar, mandolin, percussion, and harmonica  -  at The Millenium Dome (O2 Arena), The Royal Albert Hall, London Barbican Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, numerous festivals, theatres, art centres, and venues of all types throughout Europe. His work has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4, on British and Australian TV, and many other broadcasters throughout the world. 

From the mid-1980s to the present day Haigh has composed and performed for theatre, dance, film and video.  He was the first Classical Guitarist to regularly work as a dance accompanist at The Laban Centre, London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Rambert Dance Co, and The English National Ballet, amongst others.  He has appeared internationally on TV as an ‘actor’/guitarist, danced on German TV with Gloria Gaynor, and performed for HM Queen Elizabeth II.   

Haigh has composed for Choir and Orchestra, Choir and Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, String Quartet, and numerous works for guitar and guitar/ensemble.  Stylistically Haigh’s work is broad and varied, taking in influences from Classical, Folk, Jazz,  & Popular music, with a special interest in Latino & Gipsy styles, as well as avant-garde excursions into less familiar musical territory.   

“Music of such vivacity and directness” The Musical Times    “Brilliant” BBC Radio 4    "..a fresh and exotic combination of flamenco and jazz-inspired music, which seems bizarre but sounds brilliant." (Westmorland Gazette)