About
As a classically trained young graduate with a First Class music degree, like so many others, the adventure of the musical portfolio career began. My love of performing and creating was the driving force, but the act of composing—creating something from nothing—held a special place of wonder and fulfillment. Inspired by the genius of musicians like Wendy Carlos, I began to experiment with an EMS synthesizer and four track Tascam reel to reel tape recorder, not realising that I was witnessing the early days of the music technology revolution. I then began to write jingles and underscores using u-matic, VHS and portastudio technology. Now I am a fully qualified Apple Logic Master Pro and BerkleeMusic trained ProTools operator - how times have changed!
Alongside the wonders of technology, my world has always had an international flavour, and I love the sounds of our incredibly varied cultures. Influences include: the songs and language of other lands—Norway from one Grandmother and Latvia from my other Grandmother (including the beautiful traditional instrument, the Kokle); the rhythms of Latin America with instruments and recordings brought from Venezuela as a child and an unforgettable tour of Brazil playing for Gloria Gaynor; endless instruments and rhythms from around the world, especially Africa, imparted by friends and world-travellers, Martin & Bekah Neil (Voices From The Nations); the universal languages of gospel music, jazz and funk performed by other wonderful friends and colleagues.
Orchestrations & Conducting
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Underscores: feature film (additional music) "The Film-maker’s Son" 2013 (dir. Bart Gavigan, exec. prod. Iain Smith); animation (composer and orchestrator) "Ruckus" 2013
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Incidental music: "Our Country's Good" (Timberlake Wertenbaker) for orchestra and piano (Leighton Park School dir. Geraint Thomas); "The Crucible" (Arthur Miller) for harpsichord, oboe and electronics (Leighton Park School dir. Geraint Thomas)
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Many works for brass and choir (Chaconne Brass, St. Albans Bach Choir, Joyful Company of Singers, A440)
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Many solo songs
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Classical commissions: "The Carmelite Blessing” 2014, anthem for choir and organ; "Thameside Cycle" 2015, three songs for tenor voice and piano; “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows” 2015, for soprano voice, piano, glockenspiel and marimba
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Broadcast projects for the BBC
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Numerous studio projects including MOBO winning "Watching and Waiting" (David & Carrie Grant)
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Eagle Mountain by Robert Steven Hunt