Eric has composed two pieces during the lockdown for the festival and these can be played below. These are as yet untitled so if you would like to have a go at an apropriate thitle then send in your sugestions. Please email us and we will pass these on.
ERIC WITHAMS - Composer
Eric’s interest in music began with a fascination for the church organ. He started piano lessons and became a chorister in Great Baddow church aged 9. He moved on to the organ 3 years later, and gained experience playing at local churches. In the mid-fifties he was organist and choirmaster here at St. Michael’s Church.
He began his teaching career as a primary school teacher specialising in music. After seven years, which included four and a half very happy years at the Chelmsford Cathedral School, he transferred to secondary teaching. His second secondary post was as Head of Music at a Pitsea comprehensive school, followed by a similar position at Ingatestone’s Anglo-European school when it opened in 1973.
After early retirement he directed the Chelmsford Children’s Choir and formed the Chelmer Youth Choir.
Also at that time he did much composing and arranging, GCSE examining and organ playing.
He is holder of an MA in Music Education as well as LRAM and LTCL diplomas in school music related subjects.