In this article for Broadcast Magazine, I write about ‘Music for Heroes’ and stories behind my latest score for the BBC3 documentary Series American High School.

Myself and Marcus Plowright (Producer/Director) were asked to write this double page spread featured in the 11th November, 2016 issue in print, also available online for subscribers.

Download a PDF here

It was as hugely collaborative process

American High School follows a charismatic principal and his students over the course of one school year and through their eyes we witness life-changing moments. In the US, life chances for students who graduate high school are often starkly different to those who don’t, a disparity even more marked for African-American pupils.

With the odds often stacked against them we follow the class of 2016 over this, their make-or-break year.

We experience their highs and their lows as they prepare for life after high school. We meet Ivy League hopefuls, male cheerleaders and young mothers on a tough journey into adulthood. This is school as you’ve never seen it before and a unique insight into how it really feels to be young and black in America today.

In the first episode, new principal Dr Peters arrives on a mission to improve grades and discipline, but a mass brawl and the threat of further violence gives him a swift reality check.

Meanwhile, high-achieving pupil Jalena begins college applications, but with college fees costing more than a house, will she even be able to afford to go? Male cheerleader Vernon, and star football player Kordel, each prepare for the big Friday night football game. Can a win for the school help to get Dr Peters’ ambitions back on track?

Producer/Director: Marcus Plowright
Executive Producers: Joe Evans and Neil Crombie
Production Company: Swan Films
Composer: Alexander Parsons

Thank you to Julia Raeside for the fantastic reveiw of American High School: Straight Outta Orangeburg. Read the review in full here

Alexander Parsons’ impressive score, mixing tinges of the music the kids listen to with his own emotive arrangements. Six episodes of hope, just when it’s needed.

American High School follows a charismatic principal and his students over the course of one school year and through their eyes we witness life-changing moments. In the US, life chances for students who graduate high school are often starkly different to those who don’t, a disparity even more marked for African-American pupils.

With the odds often stacked against them we follow the class of 2016 over this, their make-or-break year.

We experience their highs and their lows as they prepare for life after high school. We meet Ivy League hopefuls, male cheerleaders and young mothers on a tough journey into adulthood. This is school as you’ve never seen it before and a unique insight into how it really feels to be young and black in America today.

In the first episode, new principal Dr Peters arrives on a mission to improve grades and discipline, but a mass brawl and the threat of further violence gives him a swift reality check.

Meanwhile, high-achieving pupil Jalena begins college applications, but with college fees costing more than a house, will she even be able to afford to go? Male cheerleader Vernon, and star football player Kordel, each prepare for the big Friday night football game. Can a win for the school help to get Dr Peters’ ambitions back on track?

Producer/Director: Marcus Plowright
Executive Producers: Joe Evans and Neil Crombie
Production Company: Swan Films
Composer: Alexander Parsons

I was delighted to hear that Dinopaws has been nominated for a Children’s BAFTA, in the pre-school category. The 52-part animated show features three young, charismatic dinosaurs named Bob, Gwen and Tony, whose boundless sense of curiosity always leads them on exciting and magical adventures. Each episode follows the dinosaurs on their discoveries, whether it’s a new friend, an important feeling or just a funny noise.  An original concept created and developed by Alan Gilbey, Kindle Entertainment and Impossible Kids, together with Guru Studio, Dinopaws presents a world seen through the eyes of pre-schoolers: a place brimming with magic, wonder and endless possibilities.

I am delighted to announce that What Makes Me Me? And Other Interesting Questions has been nominated in the Learning – Primary category for the BAFTA Children’s Award.

What Makes Me Me? And Other Interesting Questions is a humorous and engaging series of short films voiced by Robert Webb, exploring fundamental philosophical concepts through everyday questions that children ask, and adults often struggle to answer.

The series was broadcasted on BBC Two in February 2013 and is available on Class Clips.

Executive Producer for BBC: Katy Jones
Executive Producer: Andy Glynne
Producer: Kerry McLeod
Director of Animation: Nandita Jain
Additional Animation: Federico Parodi
Music and Sound Design: Alexander Parsons