George Pollen was born 1939 in Islington, London, United Kingdom, and has a long musical heritage.  He started playing violin at school and within the first year had won the school's prestigious music prize.  He entered the British Army in 1958, and followed into The Royal Engineers Staff Band in Aldershot and served a full 22 years. While in the band, he discovered the pleasure of arranging music as a hobby.  He furthered his music career by arranging and composing many pieces for concert military band, many of which were broadcast on BBC radio and Television.  His works have also been recorded and released on records, cassettes and CD's. 

For some time, he spent time as copyist to Ronald Binge -  the composer of Elizabethan Serenade, The Water Mill and many other fine pieces. Binge was also famous for creating "The Mantovani Sound" (of cascading strings).

George is now in semi-retirement making arrangements for concert orchestras.  Interestingly, his preference for music is not confined to strictly classical, romantic or impressionist music.  He also lists among some of his favorites: pop tunes - such as If You Leave Me Now by Peter Cetera,  An Englishman In New York by Sting and Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield.  His feeling is that if the music is well written and has good chord progressions, then he can take a fancy to it.  He also loves some film soundtracks - Richard III by Sir William Walton, High Society and Singing in the Rain. He's also always on the lookout for well made midis to appreciate.  Some of George's fine MIDI work is featured on this site, but he also has a major site at Les Winter's The Classical MIDI Connection.  Check it out!