Janet Beat

Janet Beat is a composer, music educator and music writer.

 

Janet Beat (b. 1937) studied music at Birmingham University. She received the G.D. Cunningham Award for research in Italy. She was a freelance horn player before taking up various lecturing posts notably at the RSAMD (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) 1972, where she established the electronic music & recording studios & Glasgow University, 1996 where she has been an Affiliate & Honorary Research Fellow.

She has written for the concert hall film & TV. Her music as been performed on all five continents & broadcast worldwide. She is a writer, journalist & editor. In 2019 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Scottish Women In Music. An album of Janet’s music was released in 2019, "Pioneering Knob Twiddler" which led to interviews on Swedish Radio, BBC Radio Scotland & with Kate Molleson on Radio 3 & and a portrait concert in BBC Scotland's Tectonics Festival 2022.


 

Album: Pioneering Knob Twiddler

In August 2021, at the age of 83, Janet had her first album released.

Pioneering Knob Twiddler includes some of Janet’s work dating back to the 1970s and ‘80s, featuring compositions made on synths, tape machines and other acoustic instruments.


This album recognises Janet's extraordinary achievements in electro-accoustic compositions and her invaluable contributions to the UK contemporary music scene.


Pioneering Knob Twiddler has been released on vinyl, with 500 copies made available. The album can also be downloaded from the Trunk Records website, and streamed on various online platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.

The sheet music for the track Piangam, as well as other works by Janet, are available to buy from the SMC shop. Scroll down this page to see more of Janet’s music.

  • Electrononic Sound Magazine, Issue 81 Sept. 21

  • Electrononic Sound Magazine, Issue 81 Sept. 21 (2)

  • Electrononic Sound Magazine, Issue 81 Sept. 21 (3)

  • Electrononic Sound Magazine, Issue 81 Sept. 21 (4)

  • Pink Vinyl Sleeve and Record

  • Back of vinyl sleeve with text and picture of Janet; and pile of vinyls

  • Sunday Express August 29th 2021

  • Review: The Scotsman

    Click here

  • NME Article

    Click here

  • Tectonics 2022 Review

    Click here

Music

 

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