Brian Wilshere

Brian Wilshere was born in Derby. His earliest musical experience was as a drummer in a marching band, and his formal musical training began as a teenager. He studied music at Surrey University, where his percussion teachers were James Blades and Michael Skinner and his composition tutor Reginald Smith Brindle. He also studied drum kit with Bill Bruford and Trevor Tomkins.

He subsequently pursued a career as a composer, performer and teacher based in London whilst also studying composition with David Bedford and gaining a PhD in composition from Goldsmiths College. Brian now lives in the Peak District, composes full time, and recently formed the group Ptarmigan in order to present his work in a small group format.

Brian’s music has been performed throughout the U.K. and Europe, both in concert and on radio and TV. Past commissions include the London Mozart Players and the Fine Arts Sinfonia among others. As well as percussion music, including three concertos, he has also written for orchestra, choir, wind band and small ensembles. His most frequently performed piece to date is the percussion concerto Zodiac, which was commissioned for Owen Gunnell and has received many performances all over Europe.

Brian’s music has received awards, including winning the Surrey Sinfonietta Composers Competition, and he was also on the SPNM shortlist for ten years. His music has featured in the Trinity Guildhall syllabus for Drum Kit and Percussion. Brian performs his music with his own group and with other soloists and ensembles, and he was the soloist in the world premiere of his own Concerto for Vibraphone and Strings. His music is published by Southern Percussion (southernpercussion.com).

Louba Reve records have released 5 albums of his music including Music for Strings, recorded with the Brno Philharmonic in the Czech Republic with the composer conducting (loubareve.com).