This setting of the 98th Psalm (Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.) comes originally from my cantata “The Manchester Magnificat”, based on Audrey Vaughan’s poems about the religious and social history of the city. The oratorio was...  moreThis setting of the 98th Psalm (Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.) comes originally from my cantata “The Manchester Magnificat”, based on Audrey Vaughan’s poems about the religious and social history of the city. The oratorio was first performed in Manchester Cathedral in 1994. This psalm forms the climax of the whole cantata and provides an expression of optimism after the tragedies of the previous sections. In this “extracted” version, the tragic surroundings of the history remain in the background and the purebubbling joy of the psalm itself shines forth. Enjoy the complex rhythms and let your hair down! This performance by Daniel Shaw's Composer's Choir (based in Connecticut) is a brilliant rendition of the piece and will, I hope, encourage other church choirs and concert choirs to consider including it in their repertoire.  less

On Christmas Eve morning 2017, I was approached by a member of our congregation who said he had been inspired by the Holy Ghost to write some words and that he would like me to set them to music. To begin with I wasn't sure, since they seemed somewhat re...  moreOn Christmas Eve morning 2017, I was approached by a member of our congregation who said he had been inspired by the Holy Ghost to write some words and that he would like me to set them to music. To begin with I wasn't sure, since they seemed somewhat repetitive, but as the day progressed to the early afternoon I found that I was also inspired (I even missed lunch!). The piece varies in mode from D Dorian to A Aeolian. The performance is by me (multi-tracking).  

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about men and women singing the same not together and how that might feel strange: Singing the same note – differently!.   ...

The Celestial City Choir wishes to invite all friends and love ones all over the world to join us to honor one of the great men in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Hymnal compoers. It will happen LIVE  this June. Please stay glue for more update

Hi. I am carrying out research into the vocal health habits and experiences of amateur singers as part of a Post Graduate certificate with the Voice Workshop, in conjunction with the University of Wales. Please could all of you lovely people who sing re...

Takerei Komene’s 'He Tamaiti ō te Ao Tukupū' is a celebration of birth, rejoicing in its chaos and the process of creation. This new commission revolves around the creation of a person with endless potential. The text centres on a well-know whakatauki or ...  moreTakerei Komene’s 'He Tamaiti ō te Ao Tukupū' is a celebration of birth, rejoicing in its chaos and the process of creation. This new commission revolves around the creation of a person with endless potential. The text centres on a well-know whakatauki or proverb: Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei [Seek that which you treasure most – if you must bow your head, let it be to the loftiest of mountains] A mihi pepeha, hailing the fabrics of space and the throes of the heart, is joined by the organ – a giant celestial factory, chaotic and cacophonous, with great starry arms placing pieces into unique moulds forming the fragments of the final section of the work – a mighty invocation of the whakatauki.  less

This is a setting of a poem by The Reverend Doctor Malcolm Guite, Chaplain of Girton College Cambridge,with his permission. The poem is a response to the 8th "O Antiphon" for Advent

Music and the Spoken Word broadcast with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. 1. All Creatures of Our God and King 2. Awake and Arise, All Ye Children of Light 3. Be Thou My Vision (organ Solo) 4. Lovely Appear, from "The Redemption"...  moreMusic and the Spoken Word broadcast with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. 1. All Creatures of Our God and King 2. Awake and Arise, All Ye Children of Light 3. Be Thou My Vision (organ Solo) 4. Lovely Appear, from "The Redemption" 5. Dealing with Disappointment (Spoken Word) 6. Who Will Buy? from "Oliver!" 7. Thou Lovely Source of True Delight Dealing with Disappointment Every life needs aspirations—along with goals to help us achieve them. Our goals can be like the banks of a river, guiding the flow of our ambitions. Making plans and striving to accomplish them helps channel our efforts and energies toward the things that matter most to us. But what about when we fail? How do we respond when, despite our earnest efforts, we don’t quite reach those high aspirations? In short, how do we deal with disappointment? The natural response is to feel discouraged, disheartened. It might seem that all our planning and work were wasted. We may even question our aspirations—were our ...    less

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A woman came up to me last Saturday and said “I like coming to your workshops because there are always lots of men”.     Ke...

This sanctuary of my soul, Unwitting I keep white and whole, Unlatch'd and lit, if Thou should'st care To enter or to tarry there. With parted lips and outstretch'd hands, and list'ning ears Thy servant stands. Call Thou early, call Thou late, to...  moreThis sanctuary of my soul, Unwitting I keep white and whole, Unlatch'd and lit, if Thou should'st care To enter or to tarry there. With parted lips and outstretch'd hands, and list'ning ears Thy servant stands. Call Thou early, call Thou late, to Thy great service dedicate. My soul, keep white, and whole. (poem by Charles Hamilton Sorley) Sung at Canterbury Cathedral during our Royal School of Church Music Summer Course in 1986, under Martin How. I (David W Solomons) was one of the altos. John Huntley - a fellow alto - recorded this performance.  less