Mike Mower, composer and flutist/saxophonist, was born in 1958 in Bath, England. At a young age, he began studying recorder, piano, and flute (age 12), and later (at 18), saxophone. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he pursued the flute performer's course. He studied flute with Gareth Morris, and Frank Wilson.

In 1993, Mower began his own publishing company, Itchy Fingers Publications which publishes his works for various ensembles, particularly for flute and saxophone. He is working on a number of specially commissioned works at this time, including a flute concerto, and a work for James Galway and Evelyn Glennie.

Mower has just finiashed recording a play-along CD which features 10 bands from around the world, including Samba, Irish, Flamenco, Mariachi, Salsa, and Balalaika bands. Eith flute, violin, clarinet, saxophone, or trumpet can play with the band of your dreams, and should be available from Boosey and Hawkes in November 1996.

As a result of his publishing activities, Mower is being increasingly invited to music conventions worldwide. He lectures on composition, aspects of performing his music, improvisation and studio techniques. He frequently rehearses and directs his music, especially for sax ensembles and flute choirs, as well as performing concerts himself. Recently, he has lectured and taught at the Royal Academy of Music, London, the National Flute Association, USA, for the British Flute Society, Flutesiwe, the European Flute Festival, and many local music days around the UK. He is teaching at the Fluteenie-Tag in Frankfurt in December, and for the German Flute Society in March 1997.

The concept of Mower's writing is to bridge the gap between classical and jazz music, producing pieces in different musical styles which are challenging, but always tuneful and enjoyable to play. This music is very much of the moment, and many of his works have been specially commissioned by famous concert artists and ensembles throughout Europe.

As a sideline, Mower records and produces CDs for small classical ensembles, and edits and masters CDs for record companies at this digital studio in London. He has also been involved with writing and recording soundtracks for multimedia displays such as the William Morris Exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Publications

Concert Works for Flute

• Fingerbusters! IFP 001, difficult; book and cd
• Triligence IFP 002, difficult; flute and piano
• Doodle and Flight IFP 003, medium difficult; flute and piano
• Sonata Latino IFP 032, medium difficult; flute and piano
• Not the Boring Stuff IFP 026, easy/medium
• Not the Boring Stuff IFP C2; play-along cassette
• 12 Bite Size Pieces IFP 031; easy/medium; for different sized flute ensembles
• Landscapes IFP 034; easy/medium; collection for flute and piano
• 20 Commandments IFP 033; medium/difficult; solo flute collection of "crossover" pieces

For further information on Itchy Fingers and /or Mike Mower,
write Mike Mower.