Read through my most recent articles:

• The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents-The Musical
• Concert - Sunday 27th November 2011

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Learn about the ensembles I've had involvement in:

• Harlequin Brass Ensemble
• Leeds College of Music Wind Ensemble
• National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain
• Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra
• Phoenix Concert Band
• Yorkshire Wind Orchestra

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The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents-The Musical

In June 2011 I started a collaboration with author Neil Hanson to write a musical for the school. The brief was to have a good storyline, a nice mix of styles for the pupils to perform, plenty of people singing, good chorus parts, interesting orchestral parts that are differentiated in grade to include all year groups.

Neil contacted Sir Terry Pratchett about using his book and he was very happy to permit the adaptation and the three performances.

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Concert - Sunday 27th November 2011

2011 has been a very good year for NSWO. At the end of June I was considering ways to improve the group even more and the opportunity to make a recording at BBC Manchester was the perfect catalyst to inspire the orchestra to greater heights.

The success of that session has been well documented and the resulting broadcast was one to be proud of for everyone involved. It seemed to stimulate a sense of belief and pride which the group picked up really well in September. When you add the very successful residential weekend playing Nigel Clark and Philip Wilby's music the group simply kept on improving.

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Three New Pieces

Riffilicious, a short piece based on polyphonic riffs and syncopated rhythms has just been completed for Woodwind Orchestra for the Playday at the RNCM on Feb 4th. A version for 10 brass and also a Clarinet Choir version has been arranged of this work.

Praeludium, initially a project for Harlequin Brass has been transcribed for WW Orchestra and may well be played at the same playday if time permits. I have also scored Praeludium for Wind Orchestra as it has a symphonic atmosphere in a post-romantic style.

Stray Cat is a short lively jazz waltz in a modern jazz style. This is arranged for 10 piece brass ensemble and Joe Curtis has made a version for the Blackwood Clarinet Choir. I will also be organising a version for saxophone groups as soon as possible.

These three pieces are in completely contrasting and diverse styles and are quite different to Closure, Harlequin Dances, Tubilation, Radio Days etc.

mp3 files can be emailed if anyone is interested in hearing, playing or reviewing these works.