Biography
Career to date
As well as conducting, Stephen is a talented composer and arranger. Born in Somerset, he played French horn before moving to Edinburgh and studying composition under John MacLeod (CBE). His first musical, supported by Cameron Mackintosh, was The Best in the Tower (1994). For the past 20 years he has worked with some of the country’s leading names in the musical world. He has produced, directed or accompanied hundreds of theatrical productions and has written four successful musicals which have toured Scotland since 2007. Stephen is Programme leader for Performance at the University of the West of Scotland.
Research/Compositions
1. How early failure can lead to success later in creative careers Langston, S., November 2022, The Conversation
2. Angela Lansbury – a storied career sure to touch people for years to come Langston, S., October 2022, The Conversation
3. The arts in Scotland is facing an existential crisis Langston S., September 2022, The Herald
4. Appearance as expert advisor on BBC Scotland concerning the cost-of-living crisis and the arts Langston, S., October 2022, BBC Scotland
5. Shot and Chaser (Sony Podcast) interview concerning musicals and the golden ratio Langston, S., August 2022, Shot and Chaser
6. BBC Radio 4 Expert consultant with regard the latest ABBA virtual gig and the future of Performance and Technology Langston, S., May 2022, BBC Radio 4
7. Canadian Radio concerning his recent article in the Conversation concerning Volodymyr Zelensky Langston, S., May 2022 Langston, S., May 2022, AM800
8. Abba and Tupac in the metaverse Langston, S., April 2022, The Conversation
9. Composer/arranger for live Outlander project with StarZ, 2022
10. Volodymyr Zelensky: how acting prepared the Ukrainian president for the role of his life Langston, S., March 2022, The Conversation
11. The pandemic nearly killed theatre – the creative way it fought back could leave it stronger Langston, S., February 2022, The Conversation
12. The hidden maths behind out favourite Christmas films Langston, S., December 2021, The Conversation, National independent radio broadcast, Christmas day 2021
13. Freddie Mercury 30 years on – remembering the theatrical, eccentric genius Langston, S., November 2021, The Conversation
14. Ancient Greek ‘golden’ formula explains why we love musicals so much Sleight, E., 15 Aug 2021, The Daily Mirror
15. The golden ratio: an ancient Greek formula could be responsible for most hit musicals Langston, S., 14 May 2021, The Conversation
16. How Covid forced community choirs to get back to basics Kettle, D., 5 February 2021, The Scotsman
17. PhD Thesis Completion The Golden Ratio as an influencing factor within the compositional structure of sung through musicals. University of the West of Scotland, January 5th, 2021
18. Hit musicals conform to Ancient Greeks Formula Cassidy, A., 2 August 2020, The Sunday Times (Published in worldwide edition)
19. Paul Ross Radio Interview “Golden Ratio Musical Research Findings” Ross, P., 18 August 2020, Talk Radio
20. You Have to Be There, Choral Arrangement, Performed at Glasgow City Halls & Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2019
21. The Green Door, Musical, Composer and Producer, Performed at the Ayr Gaiety Theatre, 2015
22. Faeries, Musical, Composer and Producer, Performed between 2007 & 2013 East Kilbride Village Theatre, Glasgow G12 Theatre, Kilmarnock Palace Theatre, Gartmore Village Hall, Edinburgh Festival
23. Creating a Musical for the Fringe, Langston, S., 5 May 2008, Musical Notes (Industrial Journal of Musical Theatre Matters, West End Producers) - Issue 20
24. Sheherezade, Musical, Composer and Producer, Performed at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland & East Kilbride Village Theatre 2003/2004
25. Musicals for Education Langston, S., January 2001, Broadcast (Journal for the Scottish Further Education Unit) - Issue 54 & 55
26. Wallace, Musical, Composer and Producer, Performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 2000
Compositions:
- The Green Door Music, Co-lyrics and book – World Premier, January
- Faeries Music, co Lyrics and Book, Cottiers Theatre, 2014
- Shenakie M.D, Orchestrations and arrangements – CamMac and Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
- Scotch Mist Music, Lyrics and Book – CD Recording
- Faeries Music, co Lyrics and Book – Produced by Pictel Ltd
- Sheherezade Music, co Lyrics and Book – Produced by Pictel Ltd
- Arabian Nights Music, co Lyrics and Book – Produced Stowaways
- Wallace Music, co Lyrics and Book – Produced by Pictel Ltd
- Jane Eyre Music – concept album
- The Night Before Music – produced by BBB - Scottish tour
- The Beast in the Tower Music and Book – produced by Napier University
- In the Beginning Choral Commission – commissioned by Curry Choral Society
- Glamour Overdrive Film Musical – Music – Ealing Film School
- The Dancing Men Film Music – Music – Ealing Film School
- The Felis Charm Film Music – Music – Ealing Film School
- Fantasy Flute Sonata Orchestral Commission – Queens College
- The Spirit of Burnham Brass band Commission – Burnham Brass Band
- Queens Gloria Choral Commission for Choir and Orchestra, Queens College
- Requiem Aeternaum Commissioned by Taunton Choral Society