Michael James Regan (b. 1947) studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. His teachers included Peter Wishart, Buxton Orr, Dennis Dance and Patric Standford. He later taught theory and composition at the London College of Music until 1997. In addition to composing and examining music theory, Michael is currently very active as a teacher in private practice.
Michael has never felt the need to adhere to one style in his work and influences range from a number of seemingly incompatible sources: classical European, jazz, minimalism and oriental music have all been inspirations. Composers and writers that have influenced his work [or in whom he takes a particular interest] include Kitaro, Tom Johnson, Laurence Crane, Satie [via Roger Eno], John Cage, Hardy, Eliot and Yeats.
Recent performances of compositions by Michael Regan have been given by Anna Bell [flute], The London Myriad Ensemble, The London Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Janet Oates [voice], The Konvalia Quartet, Total Brass, Sharon Moloney [flute] & Catherine Herriott [piano], Opal Flutes, Derek Foster [vibraphone & piano], Felicity Hayward [mezzo-soprano] and The Regency Ensemble.
A flute piece, "Harmattan" from "Desert Winds" by Michael Regan is included in the current ABRSM woodwind syllabus [grade 4]
MJR 03/18