I am a freelance orchestral composer, oboist and teacher in the early stages of my career. I am incredibly committed to entering the world of music scoring for media. My compositions are Neo-Romantic, drawing on inspiration from Dvorak, Debussy and Tchaikovsky, and the cinematic compositions of John Williams and Piero Piccioni. My style is one that is best used in conjunction with emotive and dramatic themes due to its heavily Romantic influence. As a trained Classical performer, I have a strong grasp on orchestral writing and the academic history of the Classical western canon. Please see my CV attached for further information.…

Anna Benton

I am a freelance orchestral composer, oboist and teacher in the early stages of my career. I am incredibly committed to entering the world of music scoring for media. My compositions are Neo-Romantic, drawing on inspiration from Dvorak, Debussy and Tchaikovsky, and the cinematic compositions of John Williams and Piero Piccioni. My style is one that is best used in conjunction with emotive and dramatic themes due to its heavily Romantic influence. As a trained Classical performer, I have a strong grasp on orchestral writing and the academic history of the Classical western canon. Please see my CV attached for further information.…

Available to hire

I am a freelance orchestral composer, oboist and teacher in the early stages of my career. I am incredibly committed to entering the world of music scoring for media. My compositions are Neo-Romantic, drawing on inspiration from Dvorak, Debussy and Tchaikovsky, and the cinematic compositions of John Williams and Piero Piccioni. My style is one that is best used in conjunction with emotive and dramatic themes due to its heavily Romantic influence. As a trained Classical performer, I have a strong grasp on orchestral writing and the academic history of the Classical western canon. Please see my CV attached for further information.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance principal oboist at The Solstice Collective
April 1, 2025 - Present
Freelance principal oboist, working in London and Wales.
Freelance principal oboist at Taraneh Orchestra
November 1, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Recording project for the world premiere of James Hyde’s The Ice Palace.
Peripatetic teacher / EOTAS instructor at Clear Steps Plus Education
May 1, 2026 - Present
Teaching composition, music theory and instrumental lessons to SEND students.
Peripatetic teacher at Hollingworth Academy Trust
November 1, 2024 - Present
Teaching woodwind and piano to a large cohort of secondary school pupils; creating tailored lesson plans and exam entries.
Administrator at Anthem Music School
August 1, 2025 - April 30, 2026
Data entry and management, money handling, scheduling, sales; use of MMS, Wix, Microsol; student liaison.
Principal oboe at RNCM Chamber Orchestra
May 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023
Chamber Orchestra, principal oboe; conducted by David Hill.
Principal oboe at University of York Symphony Orchestra
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2023
Symphony Orchestra, principal oboe; repertoire including Debussy, Rachmaninov and Elgar; two large-scale performances in York Minster.
Principal oboe at University of York Baroque Ensemble
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2023
Baroque ensemble performances including concerto repertoire.
Oboist at Symphonia Verbum Orchestra
September 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024
Freelance work with the orchestra including concerts and outreach projects in schools.
Principal oboe at York Festival of Early Music / University of York Baroque Ensemble
July 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
York Festival of Early Music performances; Baroque Ensemble repertoire with University of York.
Administrative support / backstage runner at The Grange Festival
July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017
Administrative work and backstage runner, assisting in research and production workflows.

Education

Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Performance (AdPgDip), Distinction at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)
September 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Master of Arts in Historically Informed Performance Practice, Distinction at University of York
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor of Arts in Music, 2:1 at University of York
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022

Qualifications

Oboe ATCL Diploma (Distinction)
January 1, 2019 - May 19, 2026
Piano Grade 8 (Distinction)
January 1, 2018 - May 19, 2026
David Blake Orchestral Prize (University of York)
January 1, 2022 - May 19, 2026
Rotary Young Musician of the Year (Wandsworth 2014; Hampshire 2017)
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2017
Distinction in Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Performance (RNCM AdPgDip)
September 1, 2023 - June 1, 2024
Full scholarship for AdPgDip (RNCM) funded by the Oglesby Charitable Trust
January 1, 2023 - May 19, 2026
Distinction in Master of Arts in Historically Informed Performance Practice (1st class final recital)
September 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
Final undergraduate extended recital: 1st class
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Non-Profit Organization
    paper “Antigone’s Lament”

    Performed by Katerina Poulios, the Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra of the University of York, and conducted by Rebecca Lund. Text by Jonathan Hughes. An orchestral and choral work commissioned for a premiering play based on Sophocles’ Antigone. This piece occurs at the pivotal moment of Antigone (portrayed by Poulios) being sentenced to death.

    Watch here:

    paper Fantasia on "Mon Cœur S’Ouvre à Ta Voix" by Saint-Saëns

    Performed by myself and Christopher Pulleyn. A composi=on based on themes of this aria from the Opera “Samson and Delilah”, as part of an extended research project into 19th century Fantasias.

    Watch here:

    paper “Nocturne” for Piano.

    Performed by William Campbell. A Neoclassical rondo-form piece for solo piano.

    Watch here: