Compositions

Soaring, for string orchestra

First light, for choir, piano and string orchestra

First Light was first composed (in 2018) as a short piece for solo piano (available for free download below). At the time, I wrote a short poem to accompany the piece. In 2022, this piece is an expansion of that poem into a six-movement piece for SATB choir, piano and string orchestra. The piano part featured in the first and last movements are from the original version, now accompanied by voice and strings. The second, third, and fifth movements are based on the lines of the poem. The fourth movement is a string interlude reflecting a sense of distorted time when recalling the memories hidden in the shadows of the past. The piece may be performed without the fourth movement if desired.

Lyrics:
The first light appears on the horizon. (mov't 2)
The sun’s rays pierce the landscape
Casting long shadows into the past. (mov't 3)
Soon the sun rises completely
Burning away all darkness. (mov't 5)

Live Recording (May, 2022):

FREE compositions and Arrangements for ukulele

Click below to download the full score:

babbling_brook_-_full_score.pdf
File Size:	100 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Notes:
This piece should be played freely, with rubato at important chord changes. The eighth note remains the same tempo when the time signature changes from 9/8 to 4/4. Though I have written specific notes throughout, I believe in improvisation and you should feel welcome to play around with different strokes, especially in the full chord section. I also like to vary when I play the single chords with a slowly rolled thumb stroke vs. a harder nail stroke. I welcome you to play, experiment, make it your own, and do it differently each time. Please feel free to download, practice and perform this piece as desired.

Click below to download the full score:

unscheduled_-_full_score.pdf
File Size:	78 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Notes:
This piece is written out with full chords at the beginning of certain measures. Each measure could be thought of that way and when you're practicing, I recommend you put your hand into position for the whole measure whenever possible. You might later decide not to play those full chords at the beginning of the measures where I've written them, in order to hold back information from the listener. I leave those decisions to you. Please feel free to download, practice and perform this piece as desired.

Click below to download the full score:

rock-a-bye_-_full_score.pdf
File Size:	68 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Notes:
This is an etude based on the Rock-a-bye baby song. You can see that I've just been playing around with different pacing of a repeated drone on G. It's good practice for right hand steadiness. Make sure your right hand doesn't become tense while you practice. You must stay loose to stay in control. Let these variations be inspiration for you to come up with your own variations. Please feel free to download, practice and perform this piece as desired.

FREE composition for piano

Click below to download the full score:

first_light_6_-_full_score.pdf
File Size:	75 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Below is a recording of a performance by pianist Rebecca Plummer:

Notes:
While my ukulele music has an improvisatory nature to it, the notes in this piece are meant to be played as written. However, I do believe in encouraging a performer to make decisions about tempo, rubato, and overall expression, so please do not feel that you have to play this steady eighth note pattern in an overly rigid way. Please feel free to download, practice and perform this piece as desired.

Please note that there is a version of this piece for strings, choir and piano, which is available for purchase.