Photo of Errollyn Wallen at work
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If I were 22: Errollyn Wallen

Run away with the circus, and if there is no doorway, make the door – advice from the composer and first black woman to have a piece performed at The BBC Proms, Errollyn Wallen.

Errollyn Wallen
4 min read

Breaking into the music industry seemed to be an impossible thing. After completing a master’s in composition I was advised by my tutor to be a PA because I was ‘good with people’. Thank goodness I ignored that advice; but it was so hard entering into the profession of being a classical composer. There seemed to be nowhere I could get advice. I loved composing and playing music but how could I get it out into the world?

The fact that I am a black British woman composer still confounds people. I was at a rehearsal recently of one of my orchestral works which was being performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Someone asked me if I’d done all the orchestration myself…

I worked so hard and, looking back, I served a very long apprenticeship because I felt I wasn’t good enough yet. All musicians need to be humble but you also need to get out there to find and create your opportunities. Once I started to do this, once I actually had the courage to call myself a composer, I didn’t look back.

I once had the offer of playing with Billy Smart’s Circus. I wish I’d done that! Sometimes unlikely opportunities come along which take you somewhere you wouldn’t expect to go. Every experience I have ever had goes into my music and it is important to know as much as you can about everything.

Years later, when I was offered the job as a games show host/keyboard player/composer on a television show, I grabbed it. I learned so much about working under pressure (we filmed two or three episodes a day) and about a very different working environment than I was used to.

This is a skill which is useful for all composers. I enjoy working with conductors in the interpretation of my music but the knowledge of conducting gives a different perspective on one’s work and there are times when the composer needs to step forward and up onto the podium.

A few years ago, a new opera of mine was being given a special performance for the family of the author whose work we were adapting in order to get approval. There was a snowstorm across the UK and the conductor couldn’t get there in time for the rehearsal so I had to play and conduct the singers. Gulp.

At every stage of your progression there will be naysayers and critics. This is normal. But you must stick to your path and not be afraid of failing. It could be that what you are doing has never been done before and that there is no template. Aim as high as you can and keep a close eye on quality control. Be your own fiercest critic but you must keep going. Be ambitious for your notes.

Errollyn Wallen is a composer, pianist, singer and lyricist, and winner of the Ivor Novello Award. Her new album, PHOTOGRAPHY, will be released on 18th March (NMC Recordings).
www.errollynwallen.com