Musicians in profile

We are a diverse group of musicians playing string and woodwind instruments at formal and informal performances. Our music is inspired by nature and its healing properties.

As a composer, I aim to create sound worlds which engage audiences to experience an immediate emotional resonance. Below lies some of my compositions.

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Composing

Op. 58  Sonnet to Orpheus

Scoring :  unaccompanied SATB choir
Date : 2024
Approx grade standard :  7
Length :  4 minutes
Description :  Setting of words by Rainer Maria Rilke
First performance :

Op. 57  Spirit of Fire

Scoring :  Oboe, piano
Date : 2023
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  4 minutes
Description :  Inspired by poem by Emma Louise Cartwright
First performance :

Op. 56  Kaleidoscope

Scoring :  Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon
Date : 2023
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  8 minutes
Description :  Wind quintet in one through composed movement
First performance :

Op. 55  Twenty four Preludes

Scoring :  Solo piano
Date : 2022
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  48 minutes
Description :  Twenty four Preludes, one in each key
First performance : August 23rd 2022 St Mark's Edinburgh Andrew Morris

Op. 54  Dancing on the edge of blue and green

Scoring :  Solo piano
Date : 2022
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  6 minutes
Description :  Dancing on the edge of blue and green
First performance : August 23rd 2022 St Mark's Edinburgh Andrew Morris

Op. 53  Thus as this knot is knit

Scoring :  SATB choir and organ
Date : 2021-2
Approx grade standard :  6
Length :  3 minutes
Description :  Short church anthem written for civic service 2022
First performance : October 23rd 2022 Leominster Priory Leominster Priory choir directed by Hilary Norris with Andrew Morris(organ)

Op. 52  Thirteen ways of looking at a blackbird

Scoring :  Solo piano
Date : 2021
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  46 minutes
Description :  Thirteen reflections inspired by the poem by Wallace Stevens
First performance : August 5th 2021 Hellens Andrew Morris

Op 51 Eventide 

Scoring :  Cello and organ
Date : 2020
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  6 minutes
Description :  Reflective piece based on the hymn tune Eventide for cello and organ
First performance : April 10th 2022  Leominster Priory Joris Boon and Hilary Norris

Op. 50  A song for St Cecilia's Day

Scoring :  SATB choir and organ
Date : 2020
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  4 minutes
Description :  Short anthem for choir
First performance : October 23rd 2021 Leominster Priory Hilary Norris and Edge Choir

Op. 49  And all shall be well - Praise to the Twenty-one Taras

Scoring :  Solo organ
Date : 2020
Approx grade standard :  8+
Length :  33 minutes
Description :  Through composed piece in twenty-one sections celebrating the compassionate power of Tara
First performance : June 25th 2021 Leominster Priory Hilary Norris

Op. 48 Living the dream

Scoring :  Trumpet in B flat and piano
Date :  2020
Approx grade standard : 8
Length :  c. 6 minutes
Description :  Written for Elliot Gooch after seeing him perform in The Prince and the Pauper at the New Vic,  Newcastle under Lyme, in January 2020
First performance :  tbc

Op. 47 Totentanz

Scoring :  Organ
Date :  2019-2020
Approx grade standard : 7
Length :  c. 5 minutes
Description :  A single movement elegy written for the organ in Leominster Priory
First performance :  10th April 2022  Leominster Priory. Hilary Norris

Op. 46 Mandala

Scoring :  Oboe, Bassoon, Piano
Date :  2019
Approx grade standard : 8+
Length :  c. 22 minutes
Description :  A set of five movements for oboe bassoon and piano inspired by attending Jill Purce Mandala course in April/May 2019.
First performance :  Yarpole, Herefordshire 29th September 2019 (2 movements only). Movements 3,4 and 5 premiered in concert at St Mary's Kington on October 7th 2022
Ruth Watson (oboe)  Ollie Galletta (bassoon) Andrew Morris (piano)(1,2) Jeremy Fisher (piano)(3,4,5)

Op. 45 Arthur's Stone

Scoring :  Harp
Date :  2019
Approx grade standard : 7
Length :  c. 22 minutes
Description :  A set of three movements inspired by Arthur's Stone and written for Alexandra Guiraud.
First performance :  Hay on Wye, 19th July 2019 by Alexandra Guiraud (2 movements only)

op. 44 Nine Faces of the Soul

Scoring :  Clarinet, Violin, Violoncello, Piano
Date :  2019
Approx grade standard : 8+
Length :  c. 47 minutes
Description :  A set of nine movements embodying the energies of the nine Enneagram Types. THey are presented in the Enneagram order 1 - 4 - 2 - 8 - 5 - 7 - 3 - 6 - 9
Most of the movements feature all four instruments but movemenr 2 omits the cello, movement 3 omits the violin and movement 8 omits the piano.
First performance :  movements 1 and 4 premiered on August 6th 2021 Hay on Wye, Oriole Quartet

Op. 43 Despair to Hope - Three Sonnets

Scoring :  Mezo soprano and piano
Date :  2017
Approx grade standard : 8
Length  12 minutes
Description :  setting of three sonnets originally written to form part of Despair to Hope installation at Leominster Priory in April 2017
First performance :  tba

op. 42 Elegy for piano quintet

Scoring : :  Piano + string quartet
Date :  2017
Approx grade standard : 8
Length :  7 minutes
Description :  A movement for piano quintet lamenting the loss of our European identity
First performance : April 28th 2017 Lion Ballroom Leominster Andrew Morris and The Offa String Quartet

Op. 41 Perichoresis

Scoring : Bassoon + piano
Date : 2017
Approx grade standard : 8
Length : 5 minutes
Description :  A movement in three parts for bassoon and piano written for Archie Auger
First performance :  August 4th 2017 Assembly Rooms Ludlow as part of the BISYOC Tutors' concert
Michael Dooley (bassoon)  Andrew Morris (piano)

op. 40 For the forty-eight percent

Scoring : String quartet
Date : 2016
Approx grade standard : 8+
Length : 7-8 minutes
Description :  A movement fror string quartet developed from ideas from the BISYOC 2016 composition project
First performance : October 8th 2016  Dorstone Church  The Eilan String Quartet

op. 39 When evening twilight gathers round

Scoring : Soprano and piano
Date : 2015
Description : A short setting of a mystical poem
Length : 2 minutes
First performance : Stephanie Millington and Andrew Morris in St Leonard's Church,Yarpole February 19th 2016

Op. 38 Five weavings

Scoring : Oboe, clarinet = bassoon
Date : 2014
Approx grade standard : 8
Length : 12 minutes
Description :  Five linked pieces for oboe clarinet and bassoon written in September 2014
First performance : Zagreb, Croatia on 27th February 2015 by the Zagrebacki Puhacki Trio

Op. 37 Wu Xing - Five Elements

Scoring :  Alto saxophone (improvising)  and piano
Date :  2014
Approx grade standard :  8
Length :  22 minutes
First performance : Assembly Rooms Presteigne  September 7th 2014 by Theo Jobst and Andrew Morris

Op. 36 Triptych

Scoring : Soprano saxophone; alto saxophone
Date : 2014
Approx grade standard : 8+
Length : 6 minutes
Description :  Three linked pieces for soprano and alto saxophones written for Duo Pas de Deux
First performance : Copenhagen, Denmark on 23rd March 2015 by Duo Pas de Deux

Op. 35 Gill's Gift - Lament for a lost piano

Scoring :  FLute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto saxophone and piano
Date :  2020
Approx grade standard : 6
Length :  c. 5 minutes
Description :  Written following the sale of the piano in the Lion Ballroom Leominsterr
First performance : St Leonard's Church, Yarpole in Leominster Festival concert June 2014 given by Harriet Pascoe, Ruth Watson, Helena Dudhill, Harry Gray and Andrew Morris

Op. 34 Ode to Joy

Scoring : Soprano solo = SATB unaccompanied chorus
Date : 2011, commissioned by The Britten Singers
Length : 5 minutes
First performance : 2011 by The Britten Singers conducted by Pam White

Op. 33 Apple Tree Hymn

Scoring :  SATB chorus + piano
Date :  2011
Length : 3 minutes
First performance :  Hereford 2011 Sine Nomine choir. Subsequently performed by Birchpole Singers

Op. 32 Here rolls the sea

Scoring : Soprano, flute, cello and piano
Date: 2011
Approx Grade Standard: 7-8
Length: 4mins
Description : A setting of a poem by Rabindrinath Tagore, used as an inscription outside the Barn Theatre at Dartington

Op. 31 A life of Sabbaths here beneath

Scoring : Eight part choir SSAATTBB
Date: 2010
Approx Grade Standard: 8+
Length: 6mins
Description : A setting of a poem by Thomas Traherne, Herefordshire mystic and poet
First performance :  Dartington International Summer School   EXAUDI  August 2010

Op. 30 The Sun must burn

Scoring : Four part choir SATB
Date: 2010
Approx Grade Standard: 8+
Length: 6mins
Description : A setting of a poem by Thomas Traherne, Herefordshire mystic and poet
First performance :  Sine Nomine  Hereford Cathedral   July 2011

Op. 29b Sequence for Saint Ethelbert

Scoring : Four part choir SATB
Date: 2010
Approx Grade Standard: 5-6
Length: 2mins
Description : Hymn like setting, written for a project about the saints of Hereford
First performance :  Sine Nomine  Hereford Cathedral   July 2011

Op. 29a The Ballad of Saint Ethelbert's Pillar (Regis Ethelberti)

Scoring : Four part choir SATB
Date: 2010
Approx Grade Standard: 7-8
Length: 4mins
Description : The story of Saint Ethelbert, written for a project about the saints of Hereford
First performance :  Sine Nomine  Hereford Cathedral   July 2011

Op. 28 Edfrith Mystery Play

Scoring : Violins, recorders, keyboard
Date: 2008
Approx Grade Standard: 7-8
Length: 5 mins
Description : Incidental music fort theatrical production
First performance :  at Leominster Priory October 2010

Op. 27 Two Fountains of the Apocalypse

Scoring : Alto saxophone, bass, drums, piano
Date: 2008
Approx Grade Standard: 7-8
Length: 5 mins
Description : Incidental music fort theatrical production
First performance :  at Leominster Community Centre June 2008

Op. 26 Love Swing

Scoring : Six part choir SSATBB
Date: 2007
Approx Grade Standard: 7-8
Length: 5 mins
Description : A joyful setting of a poem by Kabir
First performance :  at Dartington International Summer School by Stile Antico  August 2007

Op. 25 The Darkness of Night

Scoring: Soprano, Piano
Date: 2007
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 5 mins
Description : A setting of a mystical poem by Kabir
First performance :  Nathalie Chalkley and Andrew Morris  St Leonard's Church Yarpole  May 2017

Op. 24 Splash Out! - fanfare for opening of Leominster Swimming Pool

Scoring: Trumpet x 3, Trombone
Date: 2005
Approx Grade Standard: 6+
Length: 5 mins
Description: Fanfare piece written for the opening of the new swimming pool in Leominster January 14th 2006 First performance :  John Prestage, Michael Prestage, Dominic Garman, Advait Rao  Leominster Priory, repeated outdoors in Corn Square and at Leominster Swimming Pool  January 2006

Op. 23 Musical Remedies after Bach

Scoring: Flute, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Voice, Piano, Bass, Drums
Date: 2004
Approx Grade Standard: 8+
Length: 150 mins
Description: Thirty-eight pieces based on the moods of the Bach Flower Remedies. The set includes pieces for flute, alto sax and trumpet, along with rhythm section of piano bass and drums. Ten Remedies are songs with lyrics by Harriet Edwards. Some of the trumpet pieces were re-written in the summer of 2009
First performance :  Mikey Kirkpatrick and Andrew Morris Hereford Sixth Form COllege  July 2004

Op. 22 Seasons of Zen Spirit

Scoring: Tenor, flute and piano
Date: 2004
Approx Grade Standard: 8+
Length: 36 mins
Description: Cycle of four pieces reflecting the seasons of the year through short Zen poems. Extended and quite difficult flute part reflects on concise vocal part. Piano accompaniment uses some strumming strings techniques. First performance :  Peter Fletcher Mikey Kirkpatrick and Andrew Morris  Hereford Sixth Form College  July 2004

Op. 21 God's Grandeur

Scoring: Eight part unaccompanied choir (SSAATTBB)
Date: 2003, revised 2007
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 5 mins
Description: An eight part unaccompanied setting of the famous poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Inspired by hearing the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
First performance :  October 13th 2018 Edge Chamber Choir conducted by Ros Crouch  Leominster Priory

Op. 20 How we built the Priory

Scoring: Incidental music for play written by Ian Sorley
Date: 2003
Approx Grade Standard: 5
Length: c.24 mins
Description: Series of short pieces used as linking and scene setting music for play, plus an original song. Three performances in November 2003. DVD recording available.
First performance :  Leominster Priory  October 2003

Op. 19 Kanizsa

Scoring: Piano solo
Date: 2001
Approx Grade Standard: 8+
Length: 6 mins
Description: Moderately difficult piece written for Sam Haywood who gave the first performance at the Leominster Festival in 2001.
First performance :  Sam Haywood  Lion Ballroom Leominster  June 2001

Op. 18 Globetrotters Ball

Scoring: Dance theatre piece scored for flutes, violins, trumpets, sax, trumpet, piano and percussion
Date: 1999-2000
Approx Grade Standard: 6-7
Length: 65 mins
Description: A series of seven separate pieces written for production at Hereford Courtyard Theatre in April 2000. Six performances.
First performance : Hereford Courtyard  April 2000

Op. 17 Timetravel: Lemster's Milenium of Musicke

Scoring: SATB choir, accompanied by wind band with keyboard
Date: 2000
Approx Grade Standard: 5-7
Length: 18 mins
Description: Commissioned for Millennium BBC Music Live day in May 2000. Performed by a community choir and band as part of a large scale community event. Video and audio recording available.
First performance :  Leomisnter Priory  May 29th 2000

Op. 16 Infinite Fragments

Scoring: Piano solo
Date: 1998
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 9 mins
Description: Fourteen short fragments for piano using various extended techniques. Performer decides order of fragments.
First performance :  by Joanna MacGregor in Leominster June 1998

Op. 15 Infinite Spiral I

Scoring: Piano duet
Date: 1997-8
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 6 mins
Description: Single movement piece based on Norgard's Infinity series.
First performance :  by Kathy Hinde and Andrew Morris in a concert at the Lion Ballroom in February 1998

Op. 14 Inner Light

Scoring: String trio
Date: 1997
Approx Grade Standard: 8+
Length: 13 mins
Description: Modal theme and variations commissioned for the opening of the Lion Ballroom in Leominster in 1997
First performance : Lion Ballroom Leominster   Beethoven String Trio of London. July 1997

Op. 13 Still Waters

Scoring: Flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon, viola and cello
Date: 1997
Approx Grade Standard: 5-6
Length: 5 mins
Description: Single movement reflective piece written for COMA, and played by ensemble at summer school in 1997.

Op. 12 Honey Bear

Scoring: Soprano, clarinet, cello, piano and percussion
Date: 1997
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 5 mins
Description: Fun but moderately difficult setting of light hearted poem by Eleanor Farjeon. Workshopped by Jane Manning and ensemble at COMA summer school in 1997.

Op. 11 In the beginning

Scoring: Two part high voice with piano accompaniment
Date: 1996
Approx Grade Standard: 5
Length: 3 mins
Description: Religious pop song written in memory of Emma Lloyd and performed by the Leominster Schools Choir.
First performance :  Leominster Schools' Choir Leominster Priory May 1998

Op. 10 Gebrochene Schonheit

Scoring: Piano solo
Date: 1996
Approx Grade Standard: 7
Length: 4 mins
Description: Reflective piece written in memory of Paul Servis
First performance :   at Paul's  memorial concert in East London  Andrew Morris July 1997.

Op. 9 Awaking in Heaven

Scoring: Baritone and piano
Date: 1995
Approx Grade Standard: 7
Length: 13 mins
Description: Three settings of poems by the English C17 mystic Thomas Traherne.
First performance :  Tim Cranmore and Andrew Morris  Chateau de Rohan Saverne, France  October 1995

Op. 8 The Hobbit Songbook

Scoring: Two part high voice choir with piano accompaniment
Date: 1994-5
Approx Grade Standard: 4
Length: 28 mins
Description: Sixteen settings of poems from Tolkien�s book, sung and recorded by the Leominster Junior School choir. Suitable for 9 � 13 age range, mostly tonal and straight forward. Needs moderately accomplished pianist.
First performance :  Leominster Junior School Choir  Leominster Priory  June 1995 (Leomisnter Festival concert)

Op. 7 The flute of interior time

Scoring: Soprano, flute and 'cello
Date: 1994
Approx Grade Standard: 7
Length: 15 mins
Description: Three settings of poems by the Sufi mystic poet, Kabir. Sparse scoring.
First performed in workshop concerr COMA summer school in August 1994. Mary King (soprano) Wortley Hall , Further performances with other singers in Leominster and Bleddfa

Op. 6 Three Carols

Scoring: Treble voices, recorders, piano and classroom percussion
Date: 1992
Approx Grade Standard: 3
Length: 10 mins
Description: Tonal and tuneful, suitable for schools. One performed several times by Leominster Junior School Choir and broadcast on Classic FM.

Op. 5 Five Bagatelles

Scoring: Piano Solo
Date: 1993
Approx Grade Standard: 5-6
Length: 5 mins
Description: Moderately easy modal pieces with interesting rhythmic challenges. Popular with teenagers.
First performance :  Andrew Morris  Lion Ballroom  1994

Op. 4 Snowdon Songs

Scoring: Mezzo soprano, two clarinets(one doubling bass clarinet), viola, cello and double bass
Date: 1991-2
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 13 mins
Description: Atonal settings of Welsh englynion (short poems) in English translations.
First performance : as a set at COMA summer school in September 1993. First one performed by Composers' Ensemble at DISS in 1992.

Op. 3 Tai Chi on a rainy day

Scoring: Mezzo soprano, clarinet, viola and cello
Date: 1991
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 4 mins
Description: Quirky tuneful setting of original words inspired by Tai Chi class at Dartington. Tonal with interesting metre changes, 
First performance :  DISS Ship Studio  Amy, Trio Watson and the Composers' Ensemble August 1991

Op. 2 The bright field

Scoring: Mezzo soprano, clarinet, viola, cello and double bass
Date: 1991
Approx Grade Standard: 8
Length: 4 mins
Description: Atmospheric setting of mystical poem by R.S.Thomas, mostly atonal but with joyful tonal conclusion.

Op.1 Winter Walk

Scoring: Descant recorder, violin, piano
Date: 1990
Approx Grade Standard: 5
Length: 5 mins
Description: Immediately appealing tonal piece with some interesting rhythms. Suitable for youngsters of Grade 4-5 standard.
First performance :  Tabitha Rodway Ben Rodway and Andrew Morris  St Richard's School Bredenbury  February 1991.
Dedicated to memory of Sophie Coghlan.

Hereford Composers' Workshop

UPDATE

Times were difficult in 2020 and 2021 for Hereford Composers' Workshop because of the Covid pandemic. it wasn't possible to organise any concerts in 2020 but in 2021 we had two excellent concerts.

Firstly at Hellens on August 5th we had a concert of music for piano solo and piano duet.

Group Composition Workshops BISYOC

In June and July 2019 I will be working with a group of children from Hay Primary School to produce some additional material for the COMA concert to be held at Hay School on July 13th.

(see Forthcoming Concerts)

 

 

 

Once again in the summer fo 2017 I worked with BISYOC, an international youth exchange which took place at Moor Park School in North Herefordshire.