Robert Fokkens elected ARAM

Congratulations to Dr Robert Fokkens on being elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM). This is awarded to former students of the Academy who have made a significant contribution to the music profession.

Dr Fokkens teaches composition at Cardiff University across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and is director of the Contemporary Music Group. His music is regularly performed in major venues in the UK, South Africa, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, the USA and Japan.

Tracing Lines, his debut CD, was released in 2013 on Divine Art's Métier label. It features the first recordings of six chamber works and one song written over the last decade and is available from the label and other outlets.

Discussing the pieces collected on the CD, Dr Fokkens said: "Over the past ten years, my main interest has been the exploration of identity – looking at how musical styles, cultural, social and geographical background, and personal experiences are all reflected in the music one writes. For me, these have been, and remain, questions which require constant consideration and re-evaluation. It is fortunate that I have a creative musical avenue through which to do this."

More information about works and performances can be found at www.robertfokkens.co.uk.

Dr Fokkens's works are published by Composers Edition.