New Zealand composer, choral conductor and music educator

This is the website of David Hamilton (b. 1955), one of New Zealand’s most widely performed composers. Until 2001 Head of Music at Epsom Girls Grammar School in Auckland, from 2002 he has been concentrating mainly on composing and reducing teaching commitments to part-time. He continued to work with Opus, the top choir of Epsom Girls Grammar School until the end of 2003, and currently conducts St Mary's Schola (St Mary's College). With a strong interest and involvement in choral music, Hamilton’s music is being increasingly performed by choirs around the world. Recent significant performances have been in Italy, Japan, Singapore and the USA, and works have been commissioned by choirs in England, Japan. Ireland the USA and Finland. He is also active as a choral adjudicator having been invited to Japan in 2000 (Takarazuka International Chamber Choir Contest) and 2003 (Japan Choral Association high schools choir competition), and to Hawaii in 2005 (Pacific Basin Music Festival). In September 2009 he was an adjudicator and workshop leader at the Trelew international choir competition in Argentina. Also in demand as a workshop presenter in New Zealand and overseas. He has lectured in both the School of Music and School of Education at the University of Auckland.

Full biographical details and lists of works can be accessed on other pages. For commercially published works see below.

Website last updated: 21 August 2010

 

What's new?

Napier Civic Choir premieres "Awful Ogre's Awful Day"

On Sunday 15 August Napier Civic Choir, conducted by the composer, presented the first performance of "Awful Ogre's Awful Day" - a setting of texts from the poetry book by Jack Prelutsky. Also on the programme was a performance of Haydn's "Nelson Mass". The review in the local paper commented:

"...David Hamilton's precise direction ensured the high overall quality of an expressive performance. 'Awful Ogre's Awful Day' is a setting of nine clever and amusing verses for children by American poet Jack Prelutsky. As well as a highly skilled conductor, David Hamilton is an established international composer with many acclaimed compositions to his credit. His ability in this art was certainly evident with the appropriate character of each verse captured in his widely varied and innovative settings."
(Peter Williams, Hawkes Bay Today,16 August 2010)

A second conducting engagement for the year occurs in late November  - an invitation from South Auckland Choral Society to conduct their Christmas concert will see performances of Saint-Saens "Christmas Oratorio" and the Christmas work "The Road to Bethlehem" written by the conductor.

Recent major performances

The early part of 2010 saw several new works being premiered. "Flight" was commissioned by the Manukau Symphony Orchestra as a short fanfare-like concert opener for the orchestra's first concert of the year. It was conducted by the orchestra's Music Director Uwe Grodd in the orchestra's first concert for the year.

"Me he korokoro tui" was commissioned by the Out and Loud Festival. This gathering of gay and lesbian choirs was held in New Zealand for the first time, and attracted choirs from Australia and the USA as well as local groups. The performance was conducted by noted choral conductor Karen Grylls on Easter Sunday (4th April) in the Auckland Town Hall. The work also featured the Town Hall's recently refurbished organ.

Auckland choir Viva Voce celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2010 and for the concert on 25th April a new choral work was requested by conductor John Rosser. He asked for something which referenced silver in some way, and the text set is "The Pale and Silver Moon's Blue Silk and Blossom" by American (?) poet Michael Reston. The work is slow moving and spacious with plenty of lush harmonies. (Incidentally, if anyone knows Michael Reston - or spots this reference to his poem - please get him to contact me. I found the poem on poemhunter.com and I haven't managed to make contact with the poet yet.)

Sunday 2nd May saw a new work being premiered by South Auckland Choral Society under Peter Watts. The concert was a programme devoted to Saint Cecilia (the patron saint of music) and the new piece, "And Music's Power Obey" sets three texts on the subject of music.

As usual The Big Sing, the annual choral contest for secondary schools, saw a large number of Hamilton pieces performed. In Auckland 20 of the 54 choirs chose Hamilton works as their NZ performance. Included was a new work written for Choralation (Westlake Girls' and Boys' High Schools) - a setting of a text by Spanish poet Machado "Una Noche de Verano".

Experiences in Trelew (Argentina) at the 9th International Choral Festival

From 13-19 September I was privileged to be on the jury for this choral contest in Argentina. Trelew is a regional city, about 2 hours flying south of Buenos Aires in the Patagonia region. Occurring every two years, the contest largely attracts choirs from Latin America, but this year the Latvian Male Choir also attended. A pre-selection process ensures that the choirs taking part are of a good standard, and the prize money on offer is not inconsequential. First prize in one category was 6000 pesos – about NZ$2,200.

One of my tasks was to conduct the massed choirs in one piece, rehearsed during the morning massed singing session. For this I used an arrangement I had made of “Me He Manu Rere”. The massed singing was led by Steen Lindholm from Denmark, a delightfully engaging conductor who had the singers right in the palm of his hand.

A second task was to lead a workshop each morning. The choirs were divided amongst the jury members, and we saw the same group four times for an hour and half each time. For this I conducted my arrangement of “Hine e Hine”, my own “Blessing”, and Anthony Ritchie’s “Timepiece”. The last of these proved a challenge for the group, but they were determined to sing it on the last day in concert – and they managed a very creditable performance. I was a little dismayed on arrival to discover my workshop had been called “Traditional Maori Music”, so I swiftly emailed SOUNZ for some material that I could show to my workshop group to give them an idea of what true traditional Maori music sounded like and how it looked when notated.

The final duty of the five jurors (two from Argentina, and one each from Finland, Kenya, and New Zealand) was to judge the competitive sessions. These were done by theme: folk music, and sacred music, and then by choir type: female choirs, chamber choirs (up to 20 voices) and mixed-voice choirs. Several of the choirs sang in more than one voice-type category by entering their women’s section, or their best singers as a chamber choir.
The standard of the best choirs was very high and there was some heated discussion amongst the jury members on several occasions. Repertoire ranged from Renaissance polyphony through to contemporary Argentinean works. There were several special awards including one for a piece first heard at the contest. Set test pieces were also included in some categories.

Everyone was very welcoming and generous, and Trelew is in an interesting part of the country. There is a strong Welsh presence in the area, and in nearby Gaiman Welsh is still spoken and taught to young people. It even boasts its own Eisteddfod! The next World Choral Symposium is also based in this area – centered on the nearby coastal city of Puerto Madryn. The Trelew festival director, Daniel Garavano, is heading the Symposium organisation for 2011. The next contest in Trelew is therefore not until 2013.

Auckland Choral premieres new work, plus some other first performances in 2009...

"Orpheus" written to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Haydn, was premiered in Napier on 25th July 2009 by Auckland Choral. The choir then presented the work to Auckland audiences a week later. Setting a poem by American poet William Jay Smith, this 9-minute work is scored for alto solo, choir and organ. NZ Herald reviewer William Dart commented:

"After a robust start, with a bracingly confident choir against John Wells' sometimes tumultuous organ toccata, Hamilton carefully drew out specific words and images through his music. (Kate) Spence's shapely melodic line was beautifully turned, especially when the poem transported us to places extraterrestrial. ...the final combination of vibrant vocalising and instrumental splendour were the perfect celebration of both Haydn and the composer's singing colleagues."
(William Dart in the NZ Herald, 4 August 2009)

In mid-June Auckland Chamber Orchestra gave the first performance of "Hine Raukatauri", the flute concerto that won an international competition for composers in 2007. The soloist was Alexa Still. The work is being used as a test piece in the performers' part of the same competition in Haifa, Israel this year.

On 6th August, the orchestra of Auckland Grammar School gave the first performance of the Concertino for Percussion and Chamber Orchestra. Written specifically for the school, the work featured young percussionist Laurence McFarlane, and the performance was conducted by Head of Music Dr Nelson Wu.

Early June 2009 also saw the premiere performance of "Kristallnacht". This score was written for a group of students at New Plymouth Boys High School, and their performance won the regional section of the Chamber Music NZ chamber music contest. The unusual scoring is for flute, guitar, 2 percussion, and piano.

Another Hamilton success in international competitions

Late in 2008 David Hamilton took 2nd place in a composer's competition run by The Chapter House Choir (York, England). Setting a text by New Zealand hymn writer Colin Gibson, "Carol of Cold Comfort" was one of 67 entries from around the world. The work was scheduled for performance in the choir's annual carol concerts in mid-December, broadcast by the BBC. One of the adjudicators was the choir's founder Andrew Carter, who spent a year in Auckland in 1984 conducting choirs. There is further information about the choir at its website: www.chapterhousechoir.org

Treble-voice choral music Volume 2 CD now available

Click the above headline to see an image of the new CD of David Hamilton's treble voice music. Available directly from the composer (not available in shops!). Performances by various choirs. Includes the Christmas cycle for SSA choir, harp and percussion "A Child Comes Forth".

Auckland Choral in Hamilton celebration

On July 5th 2008 Auckland Choral's 2nd subscription concert was a celebration of Hamilton with 4 works on the programme, alongside Haydn's "Te Deum" and Bach's Cantata No. 98.. Conducted by the composer the programme featured "Well Done, Mister Bach" (for string orchestra), "Whisper to me" (for women's choir and strings), "Monday's Troll" (for bass clarinet, choir and orchestra) and a new orchestral scoring of "Te Deum". Of this last work, reviewer William Dart in the NZ Herald said:

"Hamilton's Te Deum has pedigree. Originally commissioned by the Auckland Choral Society, it was impressive 22 years ago, and, a over-boisterous 'Amen' excepted, it wears its age well. (Kate) Spence was at her radiant best, Auckland Choral threw themselves into some radical 80s vocalising, while youngsters from the Auckland Youth Choir, Kentoris and Diocesan Senior Choir, sprightly brass and percussion, and John Wells rumbling away on the organ ensured this was the full Technicolor splash."

Concerto wins 1st prize in Israel composers' competition, plus another choral composing success

"Hine Raukatauri", a concerto for flute, string orchestra, harp and percussion, has been placed first in the Haifa International Composers Competition 2007. The work is intended for performance by the Israel String Ensemble, a group consisting of leading players from the Israel Philharmonic and other top Israeli string players. The competition was open to composers internationally, and the jury selected 11 entries to compete for the prize. Hine Raukatauri is the Maori goddess of the flute, and the work includes music suggestive of New Zealand birdsong.

This was followed at the end of the year by a second place in the Longfellow Chorus Composers' Competition in the USA. A setting of "The Singers" by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was awarded the Longfellow Chorus Director's Prize. of the work the adjudicators said: "'The Singers' is a work of artistry that will engage singers and audience on several levels: intellectual, creative and expressive".

"Missa Pacifica" premiere and subsequent performances

"Missa Pacifica", commissioned by Auckland Choral to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2005, was premiered on 6th November 2005. The piece set the traditional Latin Mass text with additional texts from traditional Maori sources, New Zealand writers Joy Cowley, Patricia Grace and Hirini Melbourne, and Singaporean writer Edwin Thumboo. The performance, conducted by Peter Watts, featured soloists Morag Atchison and Kate Spence, Piper's Sinfonia and several of Auckland's best secondary school choirs.

William Dart, reviewing the work in the NZ Herald on 9th November, called the work "...a triumph of innovation and vibrancy". He said:

"A more welcoming score you could not imagine, with Hamilton sneaking in a few progressions from the Howard Shore chord book. But, Hollywood moments aside, it was the sheer inventiveness of the composer that made the work so vibrant....This was a solid and exciting piece, written with the balance of expertise and sensitivity that should ensure it is picked up by other enterprising choral groups."

Read the entire review through this link (note that this may only be available as "subscription only" material) :

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=00005743-18FC-1370-8A6483027AF10333

You can also read an article published on 2nd November which previewed the performance of "Missa Pacifica". The article came from an extended interview with the composer and includes background on David Hamilton and also Auckland Choral. Follow this link:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=185&ObjectID=10353062

Within a year of its premiere performance in November 2005, "Missa Pacifica" chalked up 4 performances - the latest in Dunedin on October 7th 2006. Under conductor David Burchell, it was performed by the City of Dunedin Choir and the Southern Sinfonia, with soloists Anna Cors and Kate Spence. The Otago Daily Times headlined their review: "Outstanding NZ choral work well received". Reviewer Anthony Ritchie commented: "Given the background to the work, it is hardly surprising there are several references to Pacific Island styles of music as well as Maori. These provided some of the work's most vibrant sounds, from pounding of the log drums to the gentle strumming of the ukulele-like violins. The inclusion of a youth choir as well as the main choir in these sections was a masterstroke: it provided a freshness of sound to the work."

"Missa Pacifica" also received 2 performances by The Queensland Choir (conductor Kevin Power) in June 2006. The performances were in Brisbane (4th June) and Ipswich (17th June). The performances featured two different groups of school choirs. The performances were accompanied by a specially constituted orchestra, and the soloists were Amy Wilkinson (soprano) and Georgia Hawes (alto).

"School's out as composer gets serious"

This headline in the Monday November 18 2001 issue of the NZ Herald, headed an article about the move from  teaching full-time to composing.

The article can still be checked out at the NZ Herald’s website by accessing the following link:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=228873

 

Coming again in 2011...

SingDownunder
(formerly the NZ Schools International Choral Festival)

"Yesterday was awesome and fun and I can't wait until next year for it again."
After a very successful launch in 2010, the next festival is scheduled for early July 2011.
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Adjudication/workshops/concerts

www.singdownunder.co.nz

Festival Director: Owen Sharpe
Music Director: David Hamilton
With international and local adjudicators.

 

Recent and upcoming performances

Sunday 29 November 2010 2pm Crossroads Church Papakura
     "The Road to Bethlehem"
     South Auckland Choral Society (conductor: David Hamilton)

Sunday 15 August 2010 2.30pm St John's Cathedral, Napier
     "Awful Ogre's Awful Day"
     Napier Civic Choir (conductor: David Hamilton)

Wednesday 11 August 2010 7pm Centennial Theatre Auckland
     "Solar Phoenix"
     Auckland Grammar School Symphony Orchestra (conductor: Nelson Wu;
          trumpet solo: Hamish Chan)

Sunday 17 July 2010 Dunedin Town Hall
     "The Ripe Breath of Autumn"
     Southern Sinfonia

Sunday 2 May 2010
     "And Music's Power Obey"
     South Auckland Choral Society (conductor: Peter Watts)

Sunday 25 April 2010 5pm Concert Chamber Auckland
     "The Pale and Silver Moon's Blue Silk and Blossom"
     Viva Voce (conductor: John Rosser)

Sunday 4 April 2010 5pm Auckland Town Hall
     "Me he korokoro tui"
     Combined choirs of the 'Out and Loud Festival' (conductor: Karen Grylls)

Saturday 27 March 2010 7.30pm and Sunday 28 March 2.30pm
     "Flight"
     Manukau Symphony Orchestra (conductor: Uwe Grodd)


 

Missa semplice

for SAB choir and piano (or organ)

A setting of the traditional Latin Mass texts plus two additional “anthem” movements including a setting of the hymn text “All People that on Earth do Dwell”. A simple tonal setting with limited repetition of text, makes it suitable for both concert and liturgical use.

The work consists of ten movements, and the whole work lasts about 25 minutes.

Premiered in March 2007, it has been recorded by a specially formed vocal group under the direction of the composer.

CD only: $12.00

CD and perusal copy of the score: $15.00
(both offers include postage within NZ)

In rehearsal Haydn's "Nelson Mass" - Napier 2010.

Auckland Choral concert 2 August 2009 (premiere of "Orpheus")

Auckland Choral in concert
29 July 2006 (conductor: David Hamilton)

Photo from the premiere of 'Missa Pacifica'

 

 

Recent new works...?

Tui (2010)

2 pianos - 8 hands
Based on the notated birdsong of the tui, this work for 4 pianists at 2 pianos was written for a group of students at university (including 2 ex-students of the composer) to use as part of their chamber music studies and as a competition piece. A gentle and rhythmic work (it never rises above mezzo-forte), the piece lasts about 5½ minutes.

The Voices of Children (2010)

SSA, piano
A setting of “Nurses’ Song” by English poet William Blake (1757-1827). There are two versions of the poem. This second , and shorter, version published in 1794’s “Songs of Experience” shows the Nurse as someone who is bitter and jealous of the freedom of children’s play. This setting was written for the inaugural SingDownunder choral festival in Auckland, as a piece for the combined treble-voice choirs to perform. The music is deesigned for quick learning, and features simple canonic textures.
 

Awful Ogre's Awful Day (2005/2010)

solo alto and baritone, SATB choir, chamber orchestra
Setting texts from Jack Prelutsky's book "Awful Ogre's Awful Day", these fun pieces tell the story of a day in the life of the title character. Scored for small orchestra: 3 trumpets, 2 percussion, piano and strings, this work is ideally suited to regional and community choirs, and is very 'audience friendly'.

The Pale and Silver Moon's Blue Silk and Blossom (2010)

SATB unaccompanied
Commissioned for the 25th anniversary of Auckland chamber choir Viva Voce. The poem by Michael Reston, found on an internet poetry site, is a short and atmospheric text. The music matches that mood, with slow moving chords in the key of D flat major, and a richly textured choral palette.

And Music's Power Obey (2010)

SATB, ensemble (flute, trumpet, timpani, violin, cello, piano, organ)
The text of the work is a set of three poems about music, speaking in turn about its personal importance and effect, its use as a lullaby, and its magical and healing properties. “And Music’s Power Obey” was written at the request of conductor Peter Watts for performance by South Auckland Choral Society.

Imagined Dances (2010)

flute, violin, guitar
“Imagined Dances” is a set of four pieces using traditional dance forms. The first is the slow and stately sarabande from the Baroque period. This dance form has a tendency to accentuate the second beat of the bar, and in this sarabande there is a constant shift from major to minor and back again. The second dance is Argentina’s tango - a seductive and sensual dance with its distinctive accompaniment rhythm heard first in the guitar. The third dance is a fast waltz, although in the middle the energy slackens off a little for a while before resuming its hectic pace through to the last bar. The final piece of the set is titled “Mexicana” and doesn’t use any specific dance form, but does use rhythms typical of Mexican folk music and dances, especially the huapango with its mix of duple and triple rhythms. The pieces were written for student performers in New Plymouth.

Me he korokoro tui (2009)

semi-chorus (SATB), SATB, organ
Commissioned for the Out and Loud Festival 2010. The words are a mix of Maori and English, contemporary and traditional. They speak of singing, and being united together in song. The words also refer to the tui, one of New Zealand’s most musical song-birds.

Child of my Heart (2009)

SA, piano
This short work sets a poem by Edwin Markham (1852-1940), American poet, teacher, lecturer and social activist. The poem “Child of My Heart” addresses a new-born child directly, asking where it has come from and questioning where life will lead it.

Prayer of a Woman (2009)

SSAA, 2 horns, harp
Returning once again to the poetry of Robin Hyde, this piece was written for Mirinesse - a Seattle women's choir conducted by Rebecca Rottsolk.

Embrace the Night (2009)

SSA, piano
A Christmas piece, setting a poem by Clay Harrison (for whom, contact information would be appreciated). This night is, of course, the night Christ was born. Written for the annual Christmas concert at St Mary's College, Auckland.

A Blessing for This Day (2009)

SA, piano
A short blessing for treble voices, the text of which calls for a blessing on each part of the day from dawn to night. Written for St Mary's Schola (St Mary's College, Auckland)

Hine e Hine (2009) - two new versions

In addition to previous arrangements of this popular Maori song for SSAA and SSATB, there are now two new versions. One for solo soprano with SATB choir (unaccompanied), and another for SSA choir with piano accompaniment.

Kristallnacht (2009)

flute, guitar, 2 percussion and piano
A chamber work based around the event known as Kristallnacht ("Night of Broken Glass"), the 70th anniversary of which occurred in 2008. The night, which is often considered the beginning of the Holocaust, saw hundreds of Jews rounded up and killed, with many synagogues and businesses ransacked. This chamber work, written for a group of senior students at New Plymouth Boys' High School, is a rhythmic and dissonant piece of writing for an unusual ensemble.

Father Bless Me to the Dawn (2009)

SSAA unaccompanied
A short blessing for treble voices, setting a text by David Adam. Written for St Mary's Schola (St Mary's College, Auckland).

Matariki (2009)

2 SATB choirs and piano
This atmospheric work sets various traditional Maori texts to do with Matariki (the Maori new year). Mixing clusters of notes with more conventional melodic writing, this piece creates an aural picture of the stars at night. Written for Choralation (Westlake Girls' and Boys' High Schools).

Bring Us In Good Ale (2009)

TBB, congas, piano
Setting a fourteenth century text, this energetic piece mixes two-in-a-bar and three-in-a-bar rhythms throughout. Written for Mainly Men of Rangitoto College.

Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning (2009)

TBB, piano
A lighter setting in ballad style. The thoughts and feelings of an astronaut as he prepares to depart on a space journey.

This Bread I Break (2008)

SATB unaccompanied
A short communion anthem, setting a Dylan Thomas poem.

The Cruiser (2008)

SATB unaccompanied
A setting, somewhat in teh style of a sea-shanty, of a nineteenth century New Zealand poem about a small boat making its way into port. Written for Waitomo Caves Choir.

The Hidden (2008)

SATB, organ (or piano)
Commissioned by the 2008 Many Choirs Festival (a combined church choirs event), this piece sets a text by noted New Zealand writer Joy Cowley from her collection 'Psalms Down Under'..

Blessing (2008)

SATB unaccompanied
This short blessing was written to by sung by members of Auckland Choral at the funeral of a choir member. Simple part-writing and simple harmonies, are used to create a gentle and reflective setting of the text by Wellington poet and Catholic sister Anne Powell.

Canticle 5 (2008)

soprano, oboe, piano
Commissioned as part of the "Stations of the Cross" exhibition at the Gus Fisher Gallery *University of Auckland)( this work is based on the 2nd station - Jesus receives the cross, and sets the line of text "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children."

Undercurrent (2008)

flute, alto saxophone, bassoon, cello and piano
Commissioned by New Plymouth Boys High School for a group of top performance students, this lively and engaging work gives each instrument in the unusual chamber ensemble a chance to shine.

Bow Low, Mary (2008)

SSAA unaccompanied
This piece was written for the Nasereci Ladies Choir in Fiji who had performed other choral works of mine with some success in local competitions. It has reasonably easy vocal lines, and sets a traditional Afro-American spiritual text.

A Treble-Voice Liturgy (2008)

2-part treble voices, organ (or piano)
Written for Auckland Boys Choir, this set of nine movements covers the essential liturgical music for an Anglican service. It includes pieces for responses to the reading, acclamations and dismissal. Some optional additional instrumental parts are included.

Count Me the Stars (2008)

SSAA, guitar
Commissioned by Kristin School in Auckland, this works sets the poem of the same name by Australian poet Kylie Johnson.

Full Moon Rhyme (2008)

SSA, piano
This atmospheric setting of the poem by Australian Judith Wright was written for Leading Notes choir at Westlake Girls High School. Relatively easy voice leading, and an impressionistic piano part.

Christmas Crackers (2007)

solo soprano, mixed-voice choir and piano (with optional harp)
A cycle of nine Christmas pieces, with a special emphasis on texts which relate to the experience of children and Christmas. The texts range from the Afro-American traditional of spirituals, through Victorian poetry, to modern humorous lyrics. The cycle has been written for South Auckland Choral Society for premiere in early December 2007.

The Road to Bethlehem (2007)

for SAB choir and organ (or piano)
A cycle of seven Christmas pieces which tell of many of the more traditional elements of the Christmas story: the shepherds, the angels etc. The texts are drawn from a variety of sources. Written for the Hibiscus Coast Singers, this is scheduled for premiere in early December 2007.

The Bogeyman (2007)

2-part treble voices and brass band (or piano)
Composed for Auckland Boys Choir to sing in a Proms-style concert with the Dalewool Auckland Brass, this piece sets a poem by Jack Prelutsky from his poetry collection "Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep".

Night Watch Song (2007)

2-part male voices (TB), and piano
This piece sets five of the six verses of ‘The Night Watch Song of the “Charlotte Jane”’ by James Edward Fitzgerald, a nineteenth century immigrant to New Zealand. He sets the poem on the boat in which he travelled to New Zealand. The music uses a rhythmic 'sea shanty' style.

My Other Jandal (2007)

SATB unaccompanied
A fun piece setting a poem by NZ poet Don Franks. Just why does only one jandal always get lost?!

Not Made With Hands (2007)

SSA (or SAB), piano
A setting of NZ poet Ruth Gilbert's poem which often appears in poetry anthologies. Lyrical vocal writing is underpinned with rippling piano arpeggios.

The Moon Always Follows the Sun (2007)

SAB, piano
A lively setting, using jazzy calypso-influenced rhythms, of an African poem:

"Calm down, little brother, Time heals all wounds.
No matter how much one is weeping, The moon always follows the sun."

Whakarongo ki te reo (2007)

SATB, organ (or piano)
Written for the choir at St Luke's Church Remuera in Auckland, this setting takes sources from Maori hymns and the book of Matthew. The text relates to Palm Sunday although could be used on other occasions.

Psalm 121 (2007)

SATB, 2 flutes, oboe, clarinet, piano
Commissioned by Saint Kentigern College, this setting of Psalm 121 ("I will lift my eyes to the mountains...") is a tuneful and lively choral work suitable for school choirs.

Ballad - O What is that Sound? (2006)

TBB, piano
A relentless sense of menace pervades this setting of a WH Auden text. The army is marching and it's coming this way! Throughout, the piano provides a strongly rhythmic under-pinning to the vocal parts.

Pangur Ban (2006)

SA, piano, optional percussion ( 3 players)
This piece has been commissioned by ex-New Zealander Jane Money, who is now resident in Boston USA, where she conducts Boston City Singers. The text is if Irish origin and tells of a monk and his cat - the one searching for words and linguistic solutions, the other searching for mice. Sometimes thought to have been written in the margins of the Book of Kells, the text is more likely to have been written by an Irish monk working in Austria.

A Child Comes Forth (2006)

SSA, harp, percussion (1 player)
A cycle of 5 Christmas pieces written for one of Auckland's school choirs Key Cygnetures from Westlake Girls High School. Designed as a companion piece to Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols', this new work will feature in a mid-winter concert in late June 2006.

 

Published works

These works have been commercially published by a music publisher. Copies should be available from a good sheet music retailer or choral music specialist. Copies can also be obtained direct from the composer.

SULASOL (Finland)

  • A Celtic Blessing (1995)  SSAA (SULASOL S392)

  • Across the Line (Three New Zealand Folksongs) (2005)  TTBB (SULASOL S1303) (new in 2008!)

  • Alleluia (1985)  SSAA (SULASOL S641)

  • Alleluia (1984)  antiphonal men's voices, horn, organ (SULASOL S642)

  • A New Commandment (2003)  solo soprano and baritone, SATB (SULASOL S1302) (new in 2008!)

  • Ave Maria (1993)  solo sop., 2-part choir (or SSA), piano (or organ) (SULASOL S427)

  • Be With Me Lord! (1999)  SSAA (SULASOL S639)

  • Bound for Canaan Land (2003) SSAA (to be published 2005/2006)

  • Caliban's Song (1988)  SSAATTBB (SULASOL S499)

  • Christmas Cradle Song (1996)  SA (SULASOL S540A)

  • Christmas Cradle Song (1996)  SATB, organ (or piano) (SULASOL S540B)

  • Daniel Saw the Stone (2005) SSA (SULASOL S1304) (new in 2008!)

  • Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Roun' (2004) SSAA (SULASOL S1305) (new in 2008!)

  • Got a Home In That Rock (1997)  solo soprano, SSAA (SULASOL S501)

  • Got a Home in That Rock (1997/2000) version for solo soprano, SATB (to be published 2008/9)

  • I'm A-Going to Join the Band (2005) solo baritone, TBB, piano (SULASOL S1306) (new in 2008!)

  • Läksin Minä Kesäyönä Käymään (1989)  2 SSA choirs (SULASOL S341)

  • Love Came Down At Christmas (1991)  SAB, organ (SULASOL S539)

  • Lux Aeterna (1979)  SSAATB (SULASOL S500)

  • May The Road Rise To Meet You (1990)  TTBB (SULASOL S498)

  • O Vos Omnes (1991/92)  SSAA or SSATB (SULASOL S428)

  • Set Me as a Seal (1999) SSATB

  • Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day (1999) SSA, guitar (or piano) (SULASOL S1056) (new in 2008!)

  • This Old Hammer  (1983)  SSAA (SULASOL S640)

  • Time Pieces (2004)  TTBB, piano (SULASOL 1316) (new in 2008!)

  • Veni, Sancte Spiritus (2000) SSATB (SULASOL S1315) (new in 2008!)

BRILEE MUSIC (USA)

  •  Christmas Bells (1996)  2-part voices and piano (BriLee Music BL139) (out of print 2003)

COLLA VOCE MUSIC (USA)

  • A Song Of Ruth (1991)  SAB (Colla Voce Music 21-20402)

  • May The Road Rise To Meet You (1990)  SSAA (optional guitar) (Colla Voce Music 21-20207)

  • May The Road Rise To Meet You (1990)  SATB and organ (Colla Voce Music 21-20106)

EARTHSONGS (USA)

  • Hine e Hine (1997)  SSATB unaccompanied (earthsongs)

  • Song For A Young Country (1989)  SSAATTBB (earthsongs)

KJOS MUSIC (USA)

  • My Master Hath A Garden (1985)  SSAA, flute (Neil A. Kjos Music Co ED.8762)

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS (UK)

  • Lullaby Carol (in "World Carols for Choirs")

  • The First Christmas (in "Christmas Voiceworks")

  • We Three Camels (in "For Him All Stars")

WALTON MUSIC (USA)

  • An Irish Blessing (HL08501525)

  • Only the Moon has Secrets (HL08501534)

  • The Moon is Silently Singing (HL08501530)