I have had no formal musical education other than having some trumpet and guitar lessons as a school boy. I composed many songs and melodies as a teenager and during my twenties. At University I played guitar, sang in a folk group and ran a folk club. I wrote music very much in the folk style.
I followed a career in education and then an Education Consultant until my full retirement in 2012.
In 2009 I started to do some recording in a studio in Bristol. In my time at the studio I learnt the essentials of music technology, the skills of studio recording, musical composition, musical arrangement and I had piano lessons. I also discovered that I had the ability to create interesting harmonies and counter melodies. In that year I co wrote two songs with an american composer, one of which was placed on a soundtrack for a film which unfortunately never made it to the screen due to the problems of the global financial crisis.
The second thing that happened in 2009 was that I joined a Choral Society as a tenor/baritone and was exposed to a whole new world of choral music and harmony both from classical composers to the likes of more modern composers like Rutter and Jenkins.
In January 2011 I was invited to submit some music for consideration by the Musical Director of the Choral Society and he and the committee chose 4 of my songs for the Christmas Concert in 2012. I was given the task of writing the sheet music, ready for rehearsal in September.
With some help from some choir members, the use of music technology and a lot of hard work the sheet music was ready in time and I was praised for its quality. There were many positive comments about the music from members of the choir, some of which are on this website.
In 2012 – 2013 I used what I had learnt to write a four part harmony, Opera entitled ‘A Better World’ which was performed by a Choir in July 2014. My second Opera ‘A New Spring’ was performed by the Choir in September 2016. Many of my choral pieces have been performed in the intervening years.
A comprehensive list of my choral compositions is documented here on the website. As you will see my music covers modern and contemporary themes. It has also been adapted in many forms to appeal to different types of choir and singing groups of all abilities.
Since 2015, through my membership of ChoralNet and my web site, I have managed to advertise and sell choral sheet music on line to choirs in the UK and USA.
In 2017 I decided that I wanted to adapt my choral compositions into piano arrangements. These are now complete and I have produced 2 volumes of piano music, Piano Harmonies, highlighted on this site.
The pandemic took its toll on me. I began writing again in 2023. I have now produced many music videos, a solo album and this year has seen my choral work recognised and adopted by a leading international choir.
Well at the age of 75 what does the future bring? Hopefully, success. You are never too old to dream !