Howard Goodall: 10 facts about the great composer

1. A musical child

Born in Bromley, Kent, Howard Goodall was educated at New College School, Stowe School and Lord Williams's School. A boy chorister, he went on to read music at Christ Church, Oxford.

Rowan Atkinson Howard Goodall Richard Curtis Dibley Mr Bean Blackadder

2. University friends that became collaborators

As an undergraduate at Christ Church, Oxford, Howard Goodall met Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, his future collaborators on several projects, including his first break into television, 'Not The Nine O'Clock News'. Goodall’s best-known themes for TV and film include 'Blackadder', 'Mr Bean', and 'The Vicar of Dibley'.

3. Composer of musicals

In the theatre, Howard Goodall’s musicals - from 'The Hired Man' (pictured) written with Melvyn Bragg in 1984 to 'Love Story' in 2010 - have been performed in the West End, Off-Broadway and throughout the world, winning many international awards.

4. Ambassador for singing

From 2007-2011, Goodall was England’s first ever National Ambassador for Singing, leading a programme – Sing Up – to improve the provision of group singing to all primary-age children.

Classic FM Gramophone Awards 2009 Howard Goodall

5. Award-winning composer

Goodall received the Specialist Classical Chart Gramophone Award for Howard Goodall’s 'Enchanted Voices' in 2009. His 'Eternal Light: A Requiem' has had nearly 400 live performances since its première in 2008 and won Goodall a Classical BRIT Award for Composer of the Year.

6. EMMY for Churchill drama

Goodall's score for the HBO film 'Into the Storm' won him the Primetime EMMY award for Original Dramatic Score in 2009. The drama was produced by Ridley Scott and starred Brendan Gleeson as Winston Churchill.

Westminster Abbey Howard Goodall King James Bible

7. Premiere in Westminster Abbey

In November 2011, Goodall conducted the première in Westminster Abbey of his 'Every Purpose Under the Heaven: The King James Bible Oratorio', to mark the 400th anniversary of its publication. It was commissioned as a gift to the United Church Schools Trust and United Learning Trust from Sir Ewan and Lady Harper.

8. Honoured by the Queen

In January 2011, Goodall was appointed a Commander of the British Empire in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, for services to music education. He was presented with his award by the Prince of Wales at an Investiture Ceremony in Buckingham Palace, 22 June 2011.

9. Music for Rosslyn Chapel

May 2012 saw celebrations for the refurbishment of Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, with the first performance of Howard Goodall’s 'Rosslyn Psalm 150' performed by the National Youth Choir of Scotland.