Geoff Cloke: Trumpet Player, Teacher, English Composer

N. M. Geoffrey Cloke, BMus, PGCE, PhD born 06-12-59, Oxford, England:

For Performance Examples, see the Trumpet Playing Page

Examples of Contrasting Compositions:

Introit from Brief Requiem:

Credo from Exeter Mass (Midi):

Commissions and enquiries are welcomed for any musical compositions at  geoffcloke@virginmedia.com Educated at New College Choir School, Abingdon School (Oxon), University of Wales (Bangor), Keele University, Middlesex University (PGCE), and University of Sheffield (PhD awarded 2001). Composer and arranger, Trumpet Player, Former Director Devon Brass Ensemble, Director of Direct Brass Services and Amateur Singer. Currently teaching Brass, A Level Music, Aural, Theory, GCSE and Key Stage 3.

Geoff's main purpose in life is to write, teach and play music. His PhD is in composition which he studied with George Nicholson, and under John Pickard and John Harper as an undergraduate. He writes music for any format, in most styles. He has written symphonies, string quartets, a concerto for four trumpets, a mass, various minor choral works, a brass quintet, mixed ensemble works, an oratorio, and songs or musicals for schools and colleges. He has arranged many works (see page) for Devon Brass Ensemble which he founded. He uses Sibelius, Cubase, Reason, Finale Notepad, and Audacity extensively, is interested in Music Technology and its impact on traditional Music. When not composing, he plays trumpet, sings tenor, photographs trains, and collects old signs.

Geoff lives in Ilkley, W. Yorks, is married to Su, has one daughter Leonora, and a cat: Mousse. Geoff was briefly famous in 2008 for a Youtube appearance (search videos under "can you play the chair". Geoff worked for the City of Oxford Orchestra in 1989, 1990, and 1995-6. He worked for the Oxford Bus Company 1979 to 1989 (which shows that jobs last longer outside music) where he crashed 8 buses. Management only knew about 5 of them (until now). He now works as a Trumpet player, Brass teacher, Music Tutor, and Supply Teacher.

Geoff's mother was Daphne Castell, the science fiction writer (who was a pupil of J.R.R.Tolkein). Geoff taught brass in Epping, Chingford, Hitchin, and Devon. Taught secondary in Dawlish, Welwyn Garden City, and Hertford. He taught Primary in Devon, still does in West Yorkshire, and taught FE/HE in North Devon. He has taught and directed groups at Music Centres in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Most pupils remember Geoff for his awful jokes. Each page of this site relates to an aspect of Geoff's musical life. Please enjoy the music, and feel free to make enquiries or observations at the email address above.