Bird Songs is an uplifting work centred around birds. ‘Two Owls’ presents a whimsical children’s rhyme in a lightly swung style, with characterful interplay between the voices reflecting the dialogue between the protagonists. The swan is the central character of the 2nd movement, which sets a 16th century Italian text that is at once elegiac, sad, and serene. These moods are captured through rhythms, emotive harmonic language, and homophonic textures. The 3rd movement brings Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s depiction of the lark, with lilting, waltz-like music and an orchestral interlude. The 4th movement sets Emily Dickinson’s ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’, which offers the image of birds as a symbol of the hope in the darkest times. The musical style is poignant and simple, demonstrating melodic grace and brings the work to a reflective but hopeful close.

Full score and parts are available to hire from OUP.

for mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, SATB choir, and full orchestra or small ensemble
This large-scale work sets a poem by American writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson that depicts the Creation story. Blues and gospel influences are present throughout, and declamatory solo writing brings the narrative to life, with the baritone soloist taking on the role of God and choir and mezzo-soprano sharing the role of narrator. The work is rich in rhythmic vitality and dramatic moments that make full use of the orchestral forces, including a triumphant vivace Hallelujah chorus towards the work’s close.
The accompaniment is scored for full orchestra or small ensemble; conductor’s scores and instrumental parts for full orchestra or the small ensemble version are available on rental.