Grade 3 / 3.5
The Colours of Courage
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 11/12 Instrumental Music class at Uxbridge Secondary School 2021/2022.
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Loosely inspired by the story of Colonel Sam Sharpe, who assembled a group of young men to fight in the First World War. These volunteer soldiers were proud to represent their country, and their local towns, and they fought and died together on the battlefields overseas. The losses weighed heavily on Colonel Sharpe, and he was sent back to Canada to recover from "shell shock" (post-traumatic stress disorder). He died by suicide in Montreal.
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Students designed a melody to represent the "Pride" that the soldiers felt, heading off to battle. Another melody stands for the realization of the "Sacrifice" that would come. Elements of "The Last Post" begin to echo before culminating in a short trumpet solo. Suitable as a thoughtful piece on a concert programme, or for a Remembrance Day ceremony.​
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: C6 / Trumpet: A6 / Trombone: F#4
The Hornets (Concert March)
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 10 Instrumental Music class at Bill Hogarth Secondary School in 2017/2018.
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A standard march form with opening strains leading to a trio.
Built out of short student motifs, and woven throughout with a musical reference to the name of the school (BHSS = B-flat / B / E-flat / E-flat). Lively, and upbeat. An opening fanfare can be omitted or performed separately.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: D6 / Trumpet: G5 / Trombone: F4
Songs Without Borders
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 10 Instrumental Music class at Middlefield Collegiate Institute in 2015/2016.
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Most folk song suites are centered on one country. This one celebrates the diversity of our Canadian youth by bringing multiple songs together that share a similar theme.
As students explored their musical heritage, they chose one folk song to research, notate, and perform. These submissions then formed the material for this unique suite. Each movement can be performed separately.​
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The suite is orchestrated with Clarinet I & II, and Trumpet I & II parts only. This can be helpful for smaller ensembles that wish to play more challenging music.
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I. Youth
The first movement, in the style of the opening of the "English Folk Song Suite", combines Leron, Leron Sinta (Philippines) -- a song about flirtation and young love -- with Qing Chun Wu Qu (China), the "Dance of Youth".
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: C6 / Trumpet: G5 / Trombone: F4
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II. Lullabies
Nila, Nila, Odi Vaa from Sri Lanka is combined with the Northeastern Cradle Song from China. 6/8 meter alternates with 4/4. A saxophone choir sonority is featured in the middle section. Key of A-flat. The highest trumpet notes can be easily taken down an octave for the brief moment they occur.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: B6 / Trumpet: B6 / Trombone: E4
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III. Landscapes
Two songs about the terrain form the scherzo movement of the suite. First is Gao Shan Qing (Tall Green Mountain) from China, with quartal harmonies supporting a series of short variations on the melody. Meen Makal Paadukiral from Sri Lanka tells about the sea, and features a short alto saxophone solo. Keys of f minor and d minor. This is a more challenging movement and might be best categorized at the Grade 4 level.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: C6 / Trumpet: G5 / Trombone: F4
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IV. Devotion
These folksongs deal with the various forms of love. Laila O Laila is from Pakistan, and is a traditional love song to a beautiful woman. Shi Shang Zhi You Mama Hao is a Chinese song about a mother's devotion to her child. The final section, Allah Kar Bhaiya, is a song of praise to Allah and the love the singer has to their "greater power". A final song remains hidden until it emerges in a statement that advocates also for a love for all of humankind.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: D6 / Trumpet: A6 / Trombone: F4