Jerry Lanning

Jerry Lanning was born in Dorset and studied at Southampton University and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, principally with Patric Standford, Peter Wishart and Geraldine Peppin. He spent much of his final year at the Guildhall writing and conducting in the School's theatre. He was vice president of the Contemporary Music Society and received the Lady Mayoress's Prize for his all round contribution to the School.

On leaving the Guildhall he was awarded a City of London scholarship to the Mermaid Theatre under Bernard Miles. He spent about ten years in the theatre and in television as an arranger and musical director, working on a dozen or more musicals including the West End productions of 'Kismet' and 'Bar Mitzvah Boy' and also from time to time assisting Ronnie Hazlehurst at the BBC TV Centre. During this period he also furthered his conducting studies with George Hurst and Lawrence Leonard.

He began arranging while still at school, and has written for almost all instrumental combinations from voice and harp to symphony orchestra, and for artists as diverse as Billy Connolly and Pavarotti. His scores have been performed by many of the London orchestras. He has several hundred publications in print, notably the Middle Eight MUSIC KIT school ensemble arrangements, the CLASSIC EXPERIENCE series for Cramer and the MAKING THE GRADE series for Chester, and has contributed to hundreds more.