Composing
Composition is one of my passions. As well as creating many arrangements for choirs I have also scored for orchestra. I am happy to arrange pieces or provide original music for individuals and choirs and can work to specific part distribution requirements and musical ability levels.
The InnovAcoustic sampling method of composition, both electronic and ‘live’ is fundamental to my work. I was delighted to be shortlisted for a prize in composition by the Cheltenham Music Festival and my piece, The Sound of Silence, which I wrote to reflect my feelings regarding the pandemic, gained radio play on Classic FM.
What is InnovAcoustic?
I have developed a highly individual composition style which I call InnovAcoustic. I write and record multiple tracks, both vocal and instrumental. These tracks may be short or long and sometimes include spoken words. I then layer and build to create the finished track.
Each piece created this way is a unique acoustic experience. For example, during lockdown, many choirs produced ‘remote’ recordings of pieces. In response to this challenging environment, I too collected remote recordings of my pupils via communication platforms both singing and speaking. I then layered these with other tracks to create the piece called The Sound of Silence which was played on Classic FM. You can listen to this and other examples of my compositions on this page. If you like them, you can find more on SoundCloud.
This type of composition can also offer a unique and rewarding experience for performers if the layering is done ‘live’ in real time. I have led my highly trusting Balcarras Chamber Choir in several performances of this type. For example, I assigned 12 different phrases based around Christmas carols to individual members of the choir. They were spaced around the church and responded to my instructions to start singing, to stop singing and to change the dynamics. This created a unique live composition and ‘surround sound’ experience for the audience. One of the elements of this exercise is the absolute trust that has to be built with the students who are responding to my direction.
I run regular InnovAcoustic sessions with my choir at The Retreat in Cheltenham. Alongside the regular pieces that we work on, the majority of which are my own compositions, I teach short phrases of music and singers respond to my simple directions, building original sounds in real time.