Look to Hope (2022) is composed for SA and piano. The words encourage us to see the beauty of nature as an inspiration for hope. “Look to hope and you will see A world that’s full of beauty. Look to hope for a new day To make the world a better place. Like the petals […]
Archive | Lower Secondary School
RSS feed for this sectionBLACK CURRAWONG TANGO
Black Currawong Tango (2022) is a description of the native Australian Currawong and describes the beauty of nature as the sun rises. The underlying beat is a Habanera rhythm and whilst it is in C major it uses some jazz chords and flattened notes for effect. It teaches harmonic and unison singing, question and answer […]
Wind Chimes
A wind chime with five cylinders or bells represents the five elements of life: metal, earth, water, wood and fire. The chords and thematic fragments were inspired by the bell-like sounds of this percussion instrument. In the 18th Century, wind chimes were tuned to the Aeolian mode or ‘God of the Winds.’ Wind chimes were used […]
A MIDSUMMER NOON IN THE AUSTRALIAN FOREST
A Midsummer Noon in the Australian Forest (2018) is written for SSA or SATB and piano, and is suitable for Secondary school and adult choirs. It is based on the descriptive historic poem of the same title by Australian poet Charles Harpur (1813-1868). It was first published in The Empire magazine 1851, and later in the […]
WATTLE BLOSSUMS
Wattle Blossums (2020) is a description of the beautiful Australian native Wattle tree. It is a Sound Poem that remembers the best of the beauty of the Wattle tree when it is in blossum. The words have a hidden meaning that we remember the good times with people. It is a song of love and […]
RAINBOWS
Rainbows is a melodious and lyrical song that is a celebration of friendship. Rainbows (2020) is currently for Unison or SA and Piano and suits Primary or Secondary children. It teaches harmonic blending and unison singing, and explores the vocal and dynamic range of the voice. “Rainbows are so beautiful when you are here, And […]
THE PEACEFUL WATERFALL
The Peaceful Waterfall is a lyrical, melodic meditative song for Unison or SA and Piano. It was composed in September 2017 and is suitable for Primary school and lower secondary school children. “Water flowing down the hillside, crystal water, streams of blue, Icy cold and sparkling fresh, the sky a lovely azure hue. Flowers blossom […]
FLOWER OF YOUTH
Commissioned by Voices of Birralee and suitable for ANZAC day and Remembrance day, the words are based on the poem ‘A Soldier’s Cemetery’, by John William Streets (killed and missing in action on 1 July 1916, aged 31). As any Australian I am appreciative of the fact that there were young men who went to […]
Autumn
Autumn (2015) is a celebration of a Queensland Autumn. Composed for Unison, SA or SSA & Piano from Advanced Primary to Secondary School students, Autumn is suitable for Assemblies and Parades, Eisteddfods and Choral Festivals. It teaches harmonic blending, question and answer techniques and contains some unison singing. Autumn, at sunrise, and the skies are so blue […]
A Thousand Stars
A Thousand Stars is a description of the stars and universe. The underlying message is that each individual person is unique and we can achieve great things. We are like stars in ourselves that are part of a greater constellation. This piece was commissioned for the Pemulwuy Festival 2014 by Brisbane Boys Grammar, and is […]
Where was the Moon?
Where was the Moon? (2014) is an inspirational song for Unison or SA and piano. The underlying message is that when things are not so good, tomorrow will always be a better day! This song is suitable for all age groups from middle Primary to secondary school and massed choir events. It teaches harmonic blending, […]
Kyrie Eleison
Kyrie Eleison (2014) is an arrangement of Psalm 51: “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.” It is available for Unison, SA or SSA & Piano and has an optional flute part. Key Unison – D major; SA/SSA – C major Tempo Moderate and elegant Length […]
Corama Uluru
Corama Uluru is from the Australian Destinations series (2013). It is a descriptive, expressive piece about the plains surrounding and including Uluru (formerly Ayer’s Rock) in the Northern Territory of Australia. It describes the uniquely Australian environment that lies beyond the city, that is filled with colour and history: the plains being scattered with sea treasures, fossils […]
The Forgotten
This setting of the hauntingly beautiful ANZAC poem, ‘The Forgotten,’ written by the Australian poet, Charles Harpur (1813-1868), was composed in 2012. It is available for SA, SSA, or SATB & piano. It is suitable for secondary school choirs & adult choirs. ‘The Forgotten’ is appropriate for ANZAC day and memorial services, school choral concerts, […]
Early Summer
Early summer is based on the descriptive historic poem ‘Early Summer’ by Australian poet Charles Harpur (1813-1868). It is melodic and uses warm, rich harmonies to express the lovely feeling that one has when the summer time first begins. Early Summer is available for Unison, SA or SSA and piano. ‘Tis the early summer season, […]
Kakadu
Kakadu from the Australian Destinations series is a flowing, melodious song with ‘easy to learn’ words and rhythm. It teaches harmonic blending and unison singing, question and answer techniques and explores the vocal and dynamic range of the voice. The image of being a bird flying around in a carefree environment may appeal to people of […]
Our Father – The Lord’s Prayer (Tertullian, De orat.)
Our Father is an arrangement of the Lord’s Prayer composed in 2010. It is suitable for Upper Primary School, Secondary School or Adult Choirs and is currently arranged for SA and Piano. It is composed in an Aeolian church mode in the key of D minor. Harmonically, it echoes back to the Renaissance period but maintains […]
