UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 06 FEBRUARY 2013
An award-winning composer, translator, theatre and musical director is to be honoured at a Birmingham City University graduation ceremony next week in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the arts.
Jeremy Sams began his career studying Music, French and German at Magdalene College in Cambridge, before studying Piano at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Upon graduating, Jeremy went on to work as a freelance pianist and coach, touring across the world giving recitals and serving an apprenticeship as a repetiteur for opera houses in Brussels and Ankara.
His opera translations include 'The Magic Flute', 'The Marriage of Figaro' and 'Don Giovanni' for English National Opera. ‘The Enchanted Island' which he wrote and devised was premiered at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 2012.
Jeremy’s work in theatre includes directing many shows in the West End including his stage adaptation of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and revivals of ‘The Sound of Music' and Michael Frayn’s ‘Noises Off’ which later transferred to Broadway. His theatre translations include ‘Les Parents Terribles' and 'The Miser' for the Royal National Theatre.
He has written book and lyrics for many musicals, including 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and ‘Amour' on Broadway.
As a composer he has written, arranged and directed music for over fifty stage shows, at venues including the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre (notably Stoppard's 'Arcadia' and Alan Bennett's 'The Wind in the Willows').
Jeremy’s work in film and television has been recognised by major prizes including a BAFTA award for the score to BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ and an Ivor Novello award for scoring the film of Ian McEwan’s ‘Enduring Love’. His latest film score is 'Hyde Park on Hudson' starring Bill Murray, which is due to be released this year in the UK.
Jeremy said: “I am particularly honoured to accept this doctorate from an academic institution in which music and theatre are given such support and prominence.”
The graduation ceremony in which Jeremy will be receiving his honorary doctorate will take place at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Tuesday 12 February.