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Henry Palmer

Composer

Music

The most surprising thing about the Composition Department is every week you get something unexpected…It’s exciting, and I think everyone really enjoys it. [Studying Composition here] you don't have many limitations; it allows you to really express yourself as a musician. It doesn’t try to push ideas on you, it allows you to create your own ideas and possibilities through music.

henry palmer

The most surprising thing in the composition department? It’s difficult to say, because actually every week you get something unexpected. We have a composers’ session every week where all the composition department get together and we have guest speakers who come in; and you have no idea who they’re going to be, and you have no idea what you’re going to do; you never really know what you’re going to get from that. And in a way it’s similar to composition, because when you start writing a piece you never really know how it’s going to turn out; so many things change. I think Dominic [Murcott], the Head of Composition tries to incorporate that, and to put us in that mindset where you never really know what’s going to happen.

I think the most rewarding aspect of the course is probably the collaborations that I’ve had, and meeting such a range of musicians and dancers and musical theatre students. As a composer, they are the core of your work; if you don’t have them, then your work’s not going to get played, it’s not going to get showcased. So, building relationships with other musicians and people at the college has really helped my composing and my work, and also helped me grow as a musician because you learn so much from them about what they do. It just influences your work in such a huge way.

Trinity Laban is a unique conservatoire because it allows you to express yourself as your own musician; it doesn’t give you limitations or expect you to do certain things; it wants you to create your own ideas and your own musical aspirations. And it’s there to guide you but it also wants you to realise things for yourself.

Student Testimonial - Henry Palmer