What do Ambition & Quality mean to composers?

On Monday 17th November, we are delighted to welcome Michael Price, Aileen Sweeney and James B Wilson to our Annual Conference for their session ‘Composers in Conversation’. They told us more about how their work as composers links to music education, and their thoughts on Ambition and Quality. 

Could you give us an introduction to your work? 

Michael Price

Michael Price:  I’m a composer who started out writing concert music, then music for contemporary dance, and finally stumbled into the world of Film & TV music. I’ve moved between those worlds for more than 30 years now, and have been lucky enough to have written the music for films and TV shows like Sherlock, Unforgotten and Dracula that have reached a wide audience. 

James B. Wilson

James B. Wilson: I’m a composer of contemporary classical music, meaning I spend much of my time creating sound and later collaborating with living, breathing musicians. But beyond the music, being a composer for me is an act of storytelling. I like to write music about something! At the moment I’m writing about the idea of influence in a huge, wide world of music, and how the sounds we carry can become the soundtrack to our lives. Other themes I’ve explored range from mental health and isolation to something as obscure but fascinating as Japanese death haiku. In short, I’m drawn to human stories. 

Aileen Sweeney

Aileen Sweeney: Featured in BBC Music Magazine’s “Rising Star” column, I am a multi-award-winning composer, arranger, accordionist, and podcaster from Glasgow. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, my music is deeply rooted in the traditional folk traditions she grew up with, while also drawing inspiration from cosmology, nature, and folklore. My work reflects a curiosity that crosses genres and disciplines. Alongside my composing career, I co-founded the folk-fusion band Eriska, which has self-released two albums; I co-host the award-winning podcast Ear to the Ground; and I teach at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior Academy.

How does your work as a composer overlap with music education? 

Aileen: There is a natural overlap between composing and music education. I frequently visit schools across Scotland to lead composition workshops for primary and secondary students—many of whom have little or no formal musical training. It’s always inspiring to see how, when given the opportunity, they think deeply and creatively about sound and music. 

In my one-to-one teaching, I often use composition as a tool for self-expression. It allows students to explore narrative, mood, and improvisation—helping them develop not only technical skills but also their own voice. 

James: I mainly write for professional musicians, but I’ve also written and arranged for amateurs, which I love doing. I want to inspire and evoke through music, whatever the age or ability. I also teach between 20 and 25 hours a week as an instrumental teacher and sometimes as a workshop leader. For me, education isn’t a sideline but part of a life in music — a vocation. It’s about posing questions, sharing experiences, and learning together. Teaching can bring renewal, especially when I’m talking about how music works or exploring creativity with students. And being an educator balances the solitude of composing; it’s a chance to share and articulate what’s often left unsaid in the creative process. 

Michael: Most of the musicians I’m inspired by speak of being ‘eternal students’ and I’m the same, so whether I’m lecturing back at my old University, mentoring a young composer or sharing tips and tricks online, I think that we’re all constantly learning from each other.  

What do Ambition and Quality mean to you? 

James: Being an artist is a leap of faith. It means jumping in with both feet, taking creative risks, and searching for the magic in your medium. It’s about believing the pursuit itself is worthwhile, overcoming barriers, and being part of a wider community. Music is magic and something worth sharing; ambition and quality, to me, are about being an ambassador for that truth.  

Michael: From the first primary school workshop I led as a student, it was clear that people of any age had an innate sense of when something was the ‘real thing’. My own kids can tell immediately if I’m talking down to them, so for me, Ambition and Quality describe both the qualities that I strive for in my own daily work, and also the honest and open communication of that approach when sharing. 

Aileen: For me, ambition is about nurturing self-motivation and curiosity in each student—encouraging them to take ownership of their learning and to value attention to detail. But ambition also means widening access: helping people who may not feel that classical or contemporary composition is “for them” to see that it can be something they can strive for. 

Quality, meanwhile, is fluid. It changes with every project or lesson and reflects the people involved and their intentions. What matters most is authenticity and growth, not a single fixed standard. 

What are you looking forward to most about your conference session?  

Michael: The contradiction that writers and composers often mention, that they have to be essentially solitary to communicate, means that a wonderful conference like Music Mark’s feels like walking out from a dark studio to find a sunny day outside. It’s always wonderful to be together with other musicians, particularly those with such a passion for inspiring the next generation. 

Aileen: As a freelance educator, it’s easy to feel isolated from a wider teaching community. I’m really looking forward to hearing from other educators—sharing experiences, ideas, and insights—and gaining new perspectives on how we can continue to support creativity and learning across different settings. 

James: I’m a twin, so I’ve always learned through dialogue. I think best in conversation. I’m looking forward to discussing what ambition and quality mean, and how we can be more creative in how we approach our work as educators and musicians. I’m also keen to hear everyone’s thoughts, or maybe have a collective struggle session about breaking through creative walls. 

Don’t miss your chance to hear more from James, Aileen and Michael at Music Mark’s 2025 Annual Conference! Bookings close tomorrow – Wednesday 29th October – so get your ticket today.