Mike Hankinson

Born in Liverpool, England, on January 23, 1946. At the age of eight, he became a choirister at Liverpool Cathedral. At the age of ten-and-a-half he was awarded a choral scholarship to one of Englands oldest educational establishments, that of Hereford Cathedral which was founded ante 1100. Two years after joining the Cathedral Choir, he was awarded a Sinclair Scholarship for the purpose of studying classical organ performing. On completing his scholastic education he spent three years at Trinity College of Music in London, studying conducting, composing, arranging and classical organ performing. He graduated from Trinity College of Music in 1967 and worked as musical assistant to one of the B.B.C’s top musical directors, where he gained much experience in the light music field. In 1969 Mike became a freelance composer, arranger and conductor based in London and worked for many leading companies. In 1970, Mike was invited to come to South Africa by Dan Hill (2), in order to compose and conduct the music score for "Shangani Patrol", one of the finest scores ever written for a South African film. At the invitation of RPM Records (3) Johannesburg, Mike remained in South Africa to become resident composer and one of their recording artists. In 1971 he completed scores for "Sononder" and "Die Banneling", the title song of which was released as a seven single. He also completed the first L.P. to be made outside of America utilizing the resources of an electronic music Synthesizer. This L.P., The Classical Synthesizer has received great acclaim in South Africa, and has since been released in Great Britain and America. In November 1971, Mike was accepted by the S.A.B.C. as a permanent artist for classical organ recital broadcasts and organ concerto work with the symphony orchestra. In June 1972, Mike joined the old established music publishing and musical instrument Company of Boosey & Hawkes Ltd, as manager of a newly created Special Products Division, where he took charge of the Synthesizer and electronic music department, as well as supervising construction of South Africa’s first electronic music studio; and in the same month was elected to membership of "The Composers' Guild" of Great Britain.