A selection of my work. If you’d like the full score of any of these pieces, please get in touch.
Chamber
Conversation Pieces for String Trio
Three short movements for the normal String Trio. Somewhat more dissonant in style and free in form, they reflect the nature of human discourse between the instruments using most of the standard effects.
The second features some modal writing and the third a sardonic waltz.
Dry Pieces (1)
This is a set of three pieces for clarinet and piano. The title is play on the German ‘drei’ as it also reflects the neo-classical character of the style, especially the first two. The finale (3) is a good humoured ‘romp’ – much easier on an A instrument!
Wind Quintet (2)
This elegiac, flowing lullaby in a languid 3/8 is dedicated to the memory of a good friend. A long Bb pedal concludes the movement.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 1
This is a series of five songs setting short poems of the poet and composer. Also available as clarinet and viola concert suites. First performed at the University of Edinburgh 2013. This is the opening song in clarinet version.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 2
The second song in the cycle features a perpetual semiquaver accompaniment. The vocal part is a more lyrical line, with some rhythmic twists. This is the piano and viola transcription.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney)
The central song is the most extended of the five, in clear ternary from. The dissonant outer episodes are contrasted with a more lyrical central section and coda. The is the full orchestral version, with a CG vocal line.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 4
The fourth song is a quite contrast with a simpler texture and sustained melodic line. Space in orchestration it reflects the sadness of the poets longing for space to express his artistry. This again is the viola transcription.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 5
The final song in the series is a desolate tone picture reflecting the poem from the first world war. Full of parallel 2nds and 9ths, the orchestration and fragmented vocal line eventually fade into darkness. This recording is again the clarinet version.
Audition Arabesque
An extended ‘recitative/narrative’ for solo violin. Written for a fellow student to offer as an orchestral audition piece. As ever, the fingerprint 2nds and 9ths are much used with a few technical effects. First performed 2018.
Belmont Meditation
A reflective and largely serene meditation on the well-known eponymous Scottish Psalm melody. For chamber orchestra, it also exists in a piano quintet version. In
cyclic form, ABCBA, the central section is for strings alone.
Blackhall Tunes
A sequence of eight pieces for fiddle emulating Scottish music genres, each with a slightly modern twist.
First performed by June Nelson at the Edinburgh Society of Musicians in January 2018
Also available for Viola.
Clarinet Trio
A single movement piece for similar clarinets. In standard sonata form, each part is graded with 1st being the most technically demanding.
Divertimento Semplice for Wind
A melodic and simply, textured single movement for woodwind quartet – Flute, Oboe, 2 Bb Clarinets. In clear Sonata form.
Dry Pieces (2)
This is a set of three pieces for clarinet and piano. The title is play on the German ‘drei’ as it also reflects the neo-classical character of the style, especially the first two. The finale (3) is a good humoured ‘romp’ – much easier on an A instrument!
Dry Pieces (3)
This is a set of three pieces for clarinet and piano. The title is play on the German ‘drei’ as it also reflects the neo-classical character of the style, especially the first two. The finale (3) is a good humoured ‘romp’ – much easier on an A instrument!
Earthworks
A single movement work for string quartet and reader. The piece is divided into seven varied sections, ‘bookended’ by the first. Each of these
sections attempts to reflect the moods and pictures in the eponymous poem by Scottish Border poet Len McDermid.
Written in 2011 and performed by the Diotima Quartet and later by a quartet led by Robert Dick at the Edinburgh Society of Musicians, 2018
Fantasy
A concert piece, originally for oboe but also adapted for the violin and clarinet. In modified rondo form, it transitions through several moods from contemplative to humorous, often with some leeway in rhythm and rubato left to the performers.
Farewell Waltz
A reflective and slightly sombre concert piece for ‘cello and piano. After a short introduction the flowing theme is subject to several transformations before the ending which reflects back to the opening. Later transcribed for small orchestra. The title refers to the novel of the same name by Milan Kundera.
First performed in this chamber form by Nancy Crook (Piano) and Christine Hurley (‘cello) at a concert in the Edinburgh Society of Musicians, April 2024.
Humoresque for Oboe and Piano
A short, characterful concert piece in ternary form. The outer sections are quick and rhythmic whilst the central episode is slow and melodic, if with some dissonant intervals. Also in arrangements for clarinet and saxophone.
Audition Arabesque
A recitative-type piece for solo violin. Witten for a fellow student to use in an orchestral audition, it makes much use of 2nds and 9ths.
Meditation for Guitar
A gentle piece in G major, reflecting the title. In extended ternary form, the central episodes contrasts with some mild dissonances. Written for a guitar pupil of a colleague.
Recitative for Solo Viola
A short, single movement recitative in modern style with a few rhythmic ‘twists”. Another piece written for a talented pupil.
Scottish Folk Songs (violin/viola & piano)
Two extended pieces based on the same songs as the choral arrangements. The first ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ reflects the subdued passion of the song of parting and the second, ‘My Love,
She’s but a Lassie Yet’ introduces some well known counter-melodies as the illicit whisky takes affect on the pianist…
Sonata Form
A fairly challenging piece for unusual chamber combination with a speaker and ‘ghosted’ singer ad lib.
A reflection on observing a ‘cellist from another stage presence.
Three Conversation Pieces
Three short chamber works for Flute Clarinet and Violin.
The term ‘conversation’ here means the instruments replicate moods and moments in spoken conversations – listening, chatter and even arguing!
Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
An introduction followed by three variations on this ubiquitos melody. Originally for 4 hands at one piano it also exists in a version for small orchestra. Originally written and first performed for the 4oth birthday of a good friend.
After the introduction and theme, the variations mimic the style of Brahms, Verdi and Bach before a scale-dominated coda finishes the piece.
First performed in 1993 and re-performed many times!
Wind Quintet (1)
The five movement quintet opens with an energetic introductory movement. In extended ternary form, the final episode requires some ‘swing’ playing.
Wind Quintet (3)
The central movements is based around various uses of the number 5 in phrase and motif length, intervals and structure. There are cadenzas involving free meter for the upper instruments.
Wind Quintet (4)
This is the most dissonant movement of the quintet, involving constant chromatic shifts and making much use of the intervals of the 2nd and 9th. Named after a street in a Scottish village.
Wind Quintet (5)
The final is an extended rondo with a motivic theme which is never harmonised twice identically. One episode includes optional parts for bass clarinet. With a quick tempo and high tessitura, it is perhaps the most demanding technically, especially of the flautist.
Educational
Christmas Anthem
For 4-part unaccompanied choir, this two section anthem sets some traditional biblical Christmas text in an approachable style.
Clarinet Trio
A single movement piece for similar clarinets. In standard sonata form, each part is graded with 1st being the most technically demanding.
Concerto Grosso
A piece for three (variable) soloists written for school use. Originally for 2 descant recorders and violin. Exemplifies some Baroque stylistic concepts and performed several times with alternative instruments in the concertino.
Divertimento Semplice for Wind
A melodic and simply, textured single movement for woodwind quartet – Flute, Oboe, 2 Bb Clarinets. In clear Sonata form.
Humoresque for Oboe and Piano
A short, characterful concert piece in ternary form. The outer sections are quick and rhythmic whilst the central episode is slow and melodic, if with some dissonant intervals. Also in arrangements for clarinet and saxophone.
Meditation for Guitar
A gentle piece in G major, reflecting the title. In extended ternary form, the central episodes contrasts with some mild dissonances. Written for a guitar pupil of a colleague.
Recitative for Solo Viola
A short, single movement recitative in modern style with a few rhythmic ‘twists”. Another piece written for a talented pupil.
Royal High School Suite for Strings (1)
A three-movement suite for full five-part string section with a decorative viola solo in the reflective slow movement. The opening movement is in sonata form with the finale a ‘mock’ Scottish jig with solos for the principal players.
Three Variations
This is one of two orchestral pieces written for and performed by school orchestras. This first one has a simple, rocking theme, followed by three variation of increasing speed and intensity. There are solos for most instrumentalists, including the leader and the varied elements can be used to demonstrate music ideas in practice, such as intervals, sequence, pedal, ostinato, etc.
Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
An introduction followed by three variations on this ubiquitos melody. Originally for 4 hands at one piano it also exists in a version for small orchestra. Originally written and first performed for the 4oth birthday of a good friend.
After the introduction and theme, the variations mimic the style of Brahms, Verdi and Bach before a scale-dominated coda finishes the piece.
First performed in 1993 and re-performed many times!
Orchestral
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 1
This is a series of five songs setting short poems of the poet and composer. Also available as clarinet and viola concert suites. First performed at the University of Edinburgh 2013. This is the opening song in clarinet version.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 2
The second song in the cycle features a perpetual semiquaver accompaniment. The vocal part is a more lyrical line, with some rhythmic twists. This is the piano and viola transcription.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney)
The central song is the most extended of the five, in clear ternary from. The dissonant outer episodes are contrasted with a more lyrical central section and coda. The is the full orchestral version, with a CG vocal line.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 4
The fourth song is a quite contrast with a simpler texture and sustained melodic line. Space in orchestration it reflects the sadness of the poets longing for space to express his artistry. This again is the viola transcription.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 5
The final song in the series is a desolate tone picture reflecting the poem from the first world war. Full of parallel 2nds and 9ths, the orchestration and fragmented vocal line eventually fade into darkness. This recording is again the clarinet version.
Belmont Meditation
A reflective and largely serene meditation on the well-known eponymous Scottish Psalm melody. For chamber orchestra, it also exists in a piano quintet version. In
cyclic form, ABCBA, the central section is for strings alone.
Clarinet Concerto (1)
A large scale, thirty minute work for soloist and large orchestra. This first movement follows a sonata-principle form outline with the cadenza in the traditional place, immediately before the recapitulation.
Concerto Grosso
A piece for three (variable) soloists written for school use. Originally for 2 descant recorders and violin. Exemplifies some Baroque stylistic concepts and performed several times with alternative instruments in the concertino.
Royal High School Suite for Strings (1)
A three-movement suite for full five-part string section with a decorative viola solo in the reflective slow movement. The opening movement is in sonata form with the finale a ‘mock’ Scottish jig with solos for the principal players.
Skyline
The second of the “Edinburgh Sketches’ after ‘Tramworks’. A musical description of the view from the church where it was first performed – St. Serf’s in North Edinburgh. Scanning the skyline, after an introduction, we see (and hear) the Arthur’s Seat hills, the bustle of the town and the central section describing the castle at night. We then revisit the town and end up in the ‘tonal’ Pentland hills.
First performed in March 2025 by the New Edinburgh Orchestra conducted by the ever-watchful Tim Paxton.
Tramworks
This orchestral sketch is one of two written so far to reflect Edinburgh life. Written between 2011-13, it attempts to remind listeners of the constant noise and disruption during these years caused by the tram construction work. For full orchestra, it has contrasting dynamic sections in a modified rondo form.
Viola Concertino
A work for solo viola and chamber orchestra. Modelled on the baroque concerto with a ritornello first movement. The second movement is a meditation on Ca the Yowes and the final a ‘jolly’ rondo.
This is the finale.
Vocal
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 1
This is a series of five songs setting short poems of the poet and composer. Also available as clarinet and viola concert suites. First performed at the University of Edinburgh 2013. This is the opening song in clarinet version.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 2
The second song in the cycle features a perpetual semiquaver accompaniment. The vocal part is a more lyrical line, with some rhythmic twists. This is the piano and viola transcription.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney)
The central song is the most extended of the five, in clear ternary from. The dissonant outer episodes are contrasted with a more lyrical central section and coda. The is the full orchestral version, with a CG vocal line.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 4
The fourth song is a quite contrast with a simpler texture and sustained melodic line. Space in orchestration it reflects the sadness of the poets longing for space to express his artistry. This again is the viola transcription.
5 Songs (Ivor Gurney) 5
The final song in the series is a desolate tone picture reflecting the poem from the first world war. Full of parallel 2nds and 9ths, the orchestration and fragmented vocal line eventually fade into darkness. This recording is again the clarinet version.
A Prayer of John Knox
A setting of the famous preacher’s prayer for SATB and light organ accompaniment. A fairly low-set piece reflecting the mood, it requires some low basses in the short opening/ending divisi moments.
Cast Thy Bread
A introit setting the biblical words for SSATB. Performed at several Edinburgh churches since written.
Christmas Anthem
For 4-part unaccompanied choir, this two section anthem sets some traditional biblical Christmas text in an approachable style.
Scottish Folk Song Arrangements (1)
Two contrasting arrangements of well-known Scottish songs. The first ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ reflects the gentle, regretful moment of parting and the second, humorously, parodies the affects of illicit whisky in ‘My Love, She’s but a Lassie Yet’
Seek Not Love
An introit for standard 4-part choir. First performed by the choir of St. Mary’s Church, Haddington. Computer generated.
