Selected as part of the 2018 Picture Gallery Composer-in-Residence scheme.
Caroline Lesemann-Elliott recently graduated with a first-class degree from the University of Edinburgh. Caroline’s compositions have been performed around the U.K., featuring performances by Christ Church Cathedral Choir, the Edinburgh Composer’s Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, St. John’s Chapel (Oxford), and more. She is currently the student Composer-in-Residence at the Picture Gallery of Royal Holloway, in conjunction with the New Voices Consort.
Over her time as a Bachelor’s student, Caroline studied conducting with Greg Batsleer and Russell Cowieson. She also completed a choral conducting internship with the Scottish Chamber Choir, under Iain McLarty. Caroline has conducted the Information Services Group Choir, New College Choir at the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Dick Veterinary School Orchestra, and served as Musical Director for Le Petit Verre Opera Production’s premiere production, Hansel and Gretel. She has also assisted as conductor with the Dalkeith Singers, the Edinburgh Practice Choir, the choir of Greyfriars Kirk, and the Edinburgh University Singers while they were on tour in Poland (alongside Dr. John Kitchen, MBE). In 2016, Caroline started a mixed voice choir called Voces Inauditae, an ensemble dedicated to the integration of lesser known composers into the world of choral music, with an emphasis on gender equality. At least half of each programme contain music by female composers. They also work to include composers from traditionally marginalised social groups, as well as giving up-and-coming composers the chance to premiere their work.
Now in Oxford, Caroline currently conducts Wolfson College Choir, as well as studying conducting as part of her Master’s in Musicology at Royal Holloway. She manages and sings with the Korrigan Consort, and plays viola/violin with the Amare String Trio and the Bate Players, as well as freelancing around the city.
As a musicologist, Caroline is particularly interested in developing feminist historiographical approaches and programming techniques, as well as sacred music by 16th and 17th century English religious women (particularly Catholic women). For this research, she has received funding from both Royal Holloway and the St. Matthias Trust, and is working towards putting together a collection of repertoire designed for use in Anglican worship. Caroline’s interest in sacred music extends to her compositional specialties. She particularly enjoys writing sacred choral music, particularly enjoying setting medieval texts in a way that combines sumptuous harmonies with unusual textural boundaries. She also regularly arranges music for various ensembles upon request.
As a singer, Caroline was a choral scholar at Greyfriars Kirk for two years, and is finishing one year at Morningside Parish Church. She regularly deputised around Edinburgh, including the Robin Chapel, St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, and St. Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral. In the past, she has sung with the Edinburgh University Singers, the Reid Consort, Pusey House (Oxford), and the Bethlehem United Church of Christ Chancel Choir. Caroline is also in high demand as a freelance violist. She currently plays viola/violin with the Bate Players and the Amare String Trio. In the past, she has served as co-principal violist of the Edinburgh University Music Society Symphony Orchestra, Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra, Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Edinburgh Charity Orchestra.
One of Caroline’s greatest loves is teaching children and young people. She has six years of experience teaching privately violin, viola, and musicianship. She takes great pride in interweaving theory and musical structure into her teaching, as well as ensuring her students become so comfortable with their instruments they feel as though it is a part of their body. Caroline also has experience coaching chamber string ensembles.
To find out more about Caroline, please visit her website: https://carolinelesemannelliott.com
