ABOUT
Performer
Principal Clarinet - Founding member of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. Graduated from the University of Western Ontario where I studied clarinet performance with Robert Riseling and Jerome Summers. Received an undergraduate degree in Theory & Composition as well as a Masters in Clarinet Performance and literature. I have been fortunate to perform the Mozart Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, and more recently the Nielsen Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra.
Composer
Original compositions for Concert Band published by Eighth Note Publications and Barnhouse Music Publishers. Both original works and arrangements for Chamber Ensembles are published by Eighth Note Publications. I am always interested in receiving new ideas for compositions. Feel free to contact me regarding a commission for a new work or simply to submit an idea for a new work or arrangement for your group.
Educator
I began my teaching career with the Scarborough Board of Education at Albert Campbell Collegiate and later at R.H. King Academy. I have been teaching Music for the Halton Board of Education for the past 20 years. I currently serve as Head of Arts & Moderns at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville Ontario.
Conductor/Clinician
Since 2012 I have been privileged to serve as the Music Director for the High Rendition Jazz Ensemble. This is a community jazz ensemble made up of high school students from throughout the Halton area.
COMPOSITIONS FOR CONCERT BAND
COMPASS POINTS WEST
COMPASS POINTS WEST
COMPASS POINTS WEST
GRADE 2 - After a lyrical opening featuring the woodwinds and then the brass, the main theme is stated by the clarinets. The journey to the West was not without danger and this composition will take your young players on a musical adventure ending in triumph!
SHUTTER SPEED
COMPASS POINTS WEST
COMPASS POINTS WEST
GRADE 2.5 - Shutter Speed represents the concepts of movement, quickness, light and shadow. A clever (and slightly shifting) syncopated rhythmic pulse propels the piece and is contrasted with melodic material played by a variety of instruments from flute right down to tuba. Colourful percussion and great use of dynamic contrast make this an excellent choice for concert or contest use.
SHIELD OF HONOR
COMPASS POINTS WEST
SHIELD OF HONOR
GRADE 0.5 - This piece was written to provide an opportunity for young bands to work on a variety of articulations and dynamic contrasts while enjoying the dialogue between the different choirs in the band. A lot of exciting material for the percussion section! The title was inspired by all the first responders who risk their lives to assist those in need.
ON THE OPEN SEA
WARRIORS OF DESTINY
SHIELD OF HONOR
GRADE 1.5 - Hoist the sails and get ready to take your young band On the Open Sea. A tuneful melody with care given to encourage strong ensemble playing. A lot of teachable band moments in this piece and the opportunity for your percussion section to try some interesting things.
WARRIORS OF DESTINY
WARRIORS OF DESTINY
WARRIORS OF DESTINY
GRADE 2.5 - After an opening gong, the main motif is presented by solo flute, accompanied by soft low woodwinds, then clarinets, then tutti. The main theme, in Dorian mode, is first introduced in a slow tempo, then as an agitated Allegro with aggressive percussion. Excellent for contest or festival.
MUSIC FOR WOODWINDS
RUSTIC MORNING - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM/DIFFICULT
WOODWIND QUINTET
Rustic Morning was inspired by the type of summer morning where you can almost feel the sunrise. A summer morning has a comforting gentle quality that I represented with the opening French Horn and Bassoon duet. The clarinet provides the link from the bass instruments to the upper instruments and the composition develops from there. My goals were serenity and a kind of child like wistfulness that comes with waking up on a beautiful summer morning. I hope you enjoy listening and performing this piece, the first of a three piece suite.
DIVERSIONS - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
WOODWIND QUINTET
This original work for Woodwind Quintet is set in 3 movements. It is full of texture and colour changes and makes the most of the sonorities available to a woodwind quintet. Clever original writing and some subtle musical humour add a lot to the appeal of this work.
ROMANIAN FOLK DANCES - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
CLARINET QUINTET
Bela Bartok is famous for his love of Hungarian and Romanian folk music. He spent many summers traveling through small villages in both Hungary and Romania recording and transcribing folk music, a lot of which would appear in many of his compositions. Due to Bartok s thick textures, there is almost no doubling between the parts with the ensemble consisting of five separate Bb clarinet parts and bass clarinet. Your ensemble will enjoy the variety of folk tunes collected by Bartok as each of the sections has a turn at sharing the melodic ideas.
PASSAMEZZO ANTICO - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
CLARINET QUARTET
Elias Nikolaus Ammerbach was a German organist and arranger of organ music of the Renaissance. The Passamezzo Antico refers to a chord progression that was popular during the Renaissance and is still in use today. Your brass quintet will enjoy this moderately challenging but very approachable interpretation of a set of dances originally written for the Renaissance organ.
BON JOUR MON COEUR - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - EASY/MEDIUM
CLARINET QUARTET
Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594) was one of the most widely respected composers of his age. He wrote using many forms including madrigals and chansons. He was very fond of the French chanson of which he wrote approximately 150. The four voice setting of the chanson is particularly well suited to the clarinet quartet. Your ensemble will enjoy the distinctive Renaissance harmonies found in this approachable arrangement of the chanson composed by Lasso.
MUSIC FOR BRASS
SHUTTER SPEED - MEDIUM/DIFFICULT
Shutter Speed represents the concepts of movement, quickness, light and shadow. A clever (and slightly shifting) syncopated rhythmic pulse propels the piece which is juxtaposed with the melodic material which is played by a variety of players from trumpet right down to tuba.
COMPASS POINTS WEST - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
Imagine you were a member of the crew on those early ships of exploration leaving Europe in the 15th century to sail to America. Feelings of anticipation and apprehension would give way to feelings of adventure and joy! The piece begins with a lyrical introduction recalling the sense of anticipation and confidence felt by those early explorers as they embarked on their journey but quickly gives way to the main thematic idea introduced by the 1st trumpet. The journey West was not without danger and this composition takes your ensemble on a musical adventure ending in triumph.
SHIELD OF HONOR - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - EASY
Shield of Honor was written to provide an opportunity for young brass quintets to work on challenging articulations, dynamic contrasts and rhythmic grooves while maintaining an accessible melody line which is shared by the full ensemble. All members of the ensemble will enjoy participating in the discussion! The title was inspired by our First Responders who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe.
ON THE OPEN SEA - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - EASY/MEDIUM
Hoist the sails and get ready to take your young ensemble On the Open Sea. With tuneful melodies and fun rhythmic support there is lots of musical material to foster strong ensemble playing.
THE LAST TOURNAMENT - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM/DIFFICULT
The year is 1342, the place Dunstable England. This was the year the last of the Medieval tournaments was held in England. Imagine the knights arriving for the tournament to fanfares and celebrations. The Last Tournament was inspired by the composer's admiration and interest in the life and music of the Middle Ages. It is set in three contrasting movements: Arrival of the Knights, Elegy for the Fallen and The Victors.
PASSAMEZZO ANTICO - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
Elias Nikolaus Ammerbach was a German organist and arranger of organ music of the Renaissance. The Passamezzo Antico refers to a chord progression that was popular during the Renaissance and is still in use today. Your brass quintet will enjoy this moderately challenging but very approachable interpretation of a set of dances originally written for the Renaissance organ.
MUSIC FOR PERCUSSION
BINGO-BANGO-BONGO - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
This piece was inspired by many years of friendly golf competitions amongst friends. Specifically the name refers to the three ways to score points in the game represented in the composition by the many different groupings of instruments with emphasis on the bongo, conga, snare trio. Through approachable rhythmic notation players will enjoy the spectrum of sounds created by the various combinations explored in the piece.
TAPAS - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - EASY
This piece was Inspired by the sights, sounds, and tastes experienced during a visit to Barcelona and a walk down the streets of La Rambla. Eight players are required to perform this work. Your young group will enjoy sampling the hypnotic yet approachable rhythms of this piece.
TEMPLE DRUM - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
Exotic sounds and exciting rhythms highlight this percussive journey from beginning to end. Your ensemble will enjoy the adventure and improve their playing as they work together to conquer Temple Drum. It is scored for a variety of pitched and un-pitched instruments playable by a minimum of 5 players.
PASSING LANE - DIFFICULTY LEVEL - MEDIUM
Your students will love a trip on the percussion highway playing in the Passing Lane. Abundant colours and catchy rhythmic grooves await them in this challenging but accessible duet for two snare drummers.
Awards and Honours
2012 - Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Education
This was a truly humbling but proud moment in my career as an educator. I felt so fortunate just to have been nominated for this award but to actually receive it was beyond my expectations. It is a moment I will cherish and never forget.
