THE UNITED WOMEN'S ORCHESTRA

The bandleaders: Hazel Leach (conductor, composer)

"... I suppose you could assume that my conservatorium training in both England and Holland would have predestined me for a commercial career in music. I did spend a few years writing commercial arrangements and educational pieces, which provided me with a solid technical grounding and the fluency necessary for deadline-work. However, my work as lecturer at the conservatorium has provided a welcome financial freedom, and with it the artistic freedom to write whatever I like. Not only that, of course..my students are young and keep me informed about newer music, and the enforced discipline of a permanent analytical approach towards music is a good stimulus.
Working with the UWO is a luxury - I feel like a kid in a sweetshop. I like to experiment with musical structures which are flexible enough to allow for improvisation without losing the structural lines, and the sheer size of a big band provides endless possibilities. It's nice to work with good soloists who can add their own voice to the music- my personal statement becomes a collective one, and the whole is often greater than the sum.I'm also fascinated by the emotional content of music (the "goose-pimple factor") and its' relationship with the technical elements: the "greats" like Bach, Stravinsky, Gil Evans and Kenny Wheeler (to name but a few) can make your hair stand on end with music written within nearly mathematical structures..."

Prizes and awards "A la Mode" was awarded a  "Menzione Speciale" in the "Scrivere in Jazz"  composition concours in Sardinia 1998 "Mabel's Birthday" was a prizewinner in the Hemphill Awards 2000 (Jazz Composers Alliance, USA) "Cerasarda" won 1st prize in the "Scrivere in Jazz" competition 2000

Full listings of all compositions, together with examples,  descriptions, ordering info and soundbites can be found on the following website: www.xs4all.nl/~hleach/comp/ Recordings of selected pieces can be heard on: www.myspace.com/hazelleach