Highly respected broadcaster and educational campaigner, Howard Goodall is a multi-award winning composer, having won at the BAFTA’s, Brit’s and Emmy’s for his music.
Throughout his career, he has composed choral music, stage musicals and scores for film and television.
He was named a CBE in 2011 for his services to music education.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book award-winning composer and musician Howard Goodall for your next event.
COMPOSER
Howard Goodall is best known for his TV theme compositions, for much-loved programmes including Blackadder (1983-89), The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2000; 2004-2007; 2020) , Mr Bean (1990-95), Red Dwarf (1988-2017), QI (2003-present), Mr Bean: The Animated Series (2002-2019), Not the Nine O’Clock News (1979-82), The Thin Blue Line (1995-96), and The Catherine Tate Show (2005).
He has also composed for films such as Bean (1997) and Mr Bean’s Holiday (2007), and Johnny English (2003) and Johnny English Strikes Back (2018). He has also composed for the stage musicals The Hired Man, Girlfriends, Love Story, The Kissing-Dance, The Dreaming, Bend it Like Beckham
He is often commissioned to compose important pieces for national ceremonies and memorials. In 2010, he was commissioned to compose a piece for the National Holocaust Memorial Event, held in London’s Guildhall, entitled A Song Of Hope. In 2012, his composition accompanied the late Queen Elizabeth II down the Thames at her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, composed for the 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony, as well as for the St Symphorien Military Cemetery to mark the anniversary of the start of WW1.
PRESENTER
As well as being a successful composer, Howard is a popular presenter, hosting Channel 4’s award-winning programmes Howard Goodall’s Organ Works (1996), Howard Goodall’s Choir Works (1998), Howard Goodall’s Big Bangs (2000), Howard Goodall’s 20th Century Composers (2004), Howard Goodall’s Great Dates (2002), How Music Works (2006), The Truth About Christmas Carols (2008), and The Story of Music (2013).
He can also be heard across BBC Radio 2 and Classic FM, for whom he presents ‘Howard Goodall’s Saturday Concert’.
MUSICAL EDUCATION
Howard is passionate about enhancing musical education in schools, and in 2007 he was appointed as England’s first ever ambassador to lead a national campaign for singing. He has worked as a composer for schools and colleges, a judge and compere for young musical competitions, sat on the board of Youth Music which provides opportunities to disadvantaged young people, He also worked with Music Manifesto – a campaign for young people’s music, worked with Sing Up to raise the profile of educational music, and now continues to promote musical education through his composition work.
AWARDS
Howard’s work in composing and education have seen him awarded a number of accolades over the years:
WINS
– Ivor Novello: 1985
– The New York Festival’s World Medal for International TV Programming: 1997
– Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award: 2001
– Royal Television Society Award: 2001, 2007
– BAFTA: 2001
– PEABODY Award: 2001
– British Television Advertising Craft Award: 2001
– John Kraaijkamp Musical Award: 2001
– IMZ Vienna TV Award: 2001
– Montreux International TV Festival Rose d’Or Award: 2001
– Waterford International Festival of Light Opera: 2002
– UK Theatre Award: 2005, 2010
-The Voice of the Listener & Viewer Naomi Sargant Memorial Award: 2006
– The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters Gold Badge Award: 2006
– The Making Music/Sir Charles Groves Prize: 2007
– ASCAP Award: 2008
– Learning on Screen Video and Broadcast award for TV: 2008
– Primetime EMMY: 2009
– Classical Brits Award: 2009
– Karl Haas Prize for Music Education: 2009
– Classic FM Award: 2009
– Gramophone Award: 2009
– Off-West-End Award: 2013, 2012, 2011
– The Critics’ Circle Award: 2015
– The Time Out Reader’s Award: 2015
– Asian Awards: 2015
NOMINATIONS
– Olivier Awards: 4 x 1985, 3 x 2011, 5 x 2015
– International Emmy 2001
– John Kraaijkamp Musical Award: 4 x 2001
– Indie TV Awards: 2003
– BAFTA: 2003, 2005
– Montreux TV Festival: 2003, 2005
EDUCATIONAL AWARDS
– Honorary Doctorate in Music from Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln
– Honorary Doctorate in Music from The University of Leicester
– Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Bolton
– Doctor of Literature (Education) of the Institute of Education, University College London
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
A witty and engaging speaker, Howard covers an array of subjects, from the themes of his TV series to musical education and musical theatre. He is available for live appearances and hosting for a variety of private and corporate events.