About Len Rhodes
Music Director ~ Arranger ~ Composer ~ Pianist ~ Organist
“The resulting audience clamor is also due in no short measure to the red-hot band producing arrangements so close to the originals it makes no matter.” Huffington Post - A Night with Janis Joplin, Lyceum Theatre, NYC (2013).
Len Rhodes - Original Music, Arrangements & Direction
From the Summit Daily (November 2018) — “If you've seen a classical performance in Summit County, chances are Len Rhodes had a hand in it. The man of many musical talents is an organist, pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and musical director. Rhodes was exposed to classical music from his parents as classic rock of the '60s was simultaneously exploding in England. Within half a mile of his neighborhood were the residences of artists like David Bowie and The Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman.” Len says: "I've always enjoyed crossing that bridge between genres; be it the music of Claude Debussy, Dave Brubeck, or the Beatles catalogue."
Multi-dimensional Artist Len Rhodes is a composer, arranger, pianist, organist, music director, and educator. He has worked as a professional musician since age 13 when he was appointed organist at Clock House Methodist Church, Beckenham, Kent, England. Len Rhodes has performed throughout the world including the Las Vegas MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, The Edinburgh International Festival, Cathedral of St. Sulpice in Paris, and London’s Banqueting House for members of England’s Royal Family.
As composer and arranger, Len has worked, most recently, with Anne Akiko Meyers and the Los Angeles Master Chorale (CD 2023 Mysterium); and previously with Trinity College London and BBC Radio. His compositions and commissions include The Adventures of Pericles (10th Anniversary, Virginia Shakespeare Festival); The Waterbabies; Bethlehem! The Journey; My Head and My Heart; and incidental music for A Christmas Carol; Salonika; and Private Lives.
Len has musically directed productions throughout the US and the UK including A Night With Janis Joplin (Broadway 2013); Mike Tyson - The Undisputed Truth (Las Vegas MGM Hollywood Theatre 2012); Beehive; The Rocky Horror Show; Leader of the Pack; I Do! I Do!; The Boyfriend; Private Lives; A Christmas Carol; Doonesbury; Marat/Sade; Something’s Afoot; and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
His organ mentor, Dr. Douglas Hopkins (1902-1992), Master of the Choristers at Sandhurst from 1971 to 1976, had previously been Sub-Organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, Organist of Peterborough and Canterbury Cathedrals and, immediately prior to his appointment at Sandhurst, Organist of St Marylebone Parish Church in London. Len considers Dr. Hopkins a significant influence; as were his piano professors - Georgina Zellan-Smith, and Ruth Harte.
Len received his diplomas from the Royal Academy of Music and the London College of Music; also studying composition at Morley College, University of London. Len is an Emeritus member of the The Independent Society of Musicians (formerly The Incorporated Society of Musicians) UK; ASCAP; The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society; and American Friends of the Three Choirs Festival. Len’s sheet music arrangements are published through Oxford University Press, Hal Leonard, Music Sales, G. Schirmer Inc., and his website www.lenrhodesmusic.com. As recording artist, Len is signed with Burning Girl Records (UK), and his piano interpretations and original music are available through most music streaming services.
Teaching credits include music history at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and Colorado Mountain College-Breckenridge; as well as public and private schools in the U.K. and U.S. He teaches piano, clavichord, organ, composition, ear training, theory and harmony in his private studio.
Among the many influences throughout his life's work and career - John Mayall is paramount. Other influences including Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy; alongside Alexis Korner, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and David Bowie who have all left an indelible impression.
“To thy own self be true.”
William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3
“....an artist can never be more or less than they are as a human being...”
Nadia Boulanger