New Music, New Approach
In June 2020 I was awarded Arts Council of Wales covid-19 stabilization funding to help continue my freelance work during a difficult time for musicians.
My project 'New Music, New Approach' employed musicians to record 2 new compositions as a virtual orchestra and showcase my new music on my YouTube channel and across social media. The first composition is an orchestral piece, and the second is a musical theatre song.
I'm very exciting to get to work on and share some of my new music and bring it to life with the help of some amazing musicians!
This project was made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Wales and The National Lottery Fund.
My project 'New Music, New Approach' employed musicians to record 2 new compositions as a virtual orchestra and showcase my new music on my YouTube channel and across social media. The first composition is an orchestral piece, and the second is a musical theatre song.
I'm very exciting to get to work on and share some of my new music and bring it to life with the help of some amazing musicians!
This project was made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Wales and The National Lottery Fund.
Part ONE - What's Overhead?
This 3 minute composition depicts the build-up to and excitement of an air show or fly-past
as each wave of planes passes, demonstrating their impressive air display.
Mae'r cyfansoddiad 3 munud hwn yn darlunio'r cynhyrfiad cyn sioe awyr neu'r cyffro wrth i don o
awyrennau hedfan heibio, yn arddangos eu harddangosiad awyr drawiadol.
This project provides a breakdown of the orchestral sections and their instruments for those less familiar with the orchestra,
and provides a visual guide to which instruments create the sounds and textures we hear in the piece.
Mae'r prosiect hwn yn darparu dadansoddiad o'r adrannau cerddorfaol a'u hofferynnau i'r rhai sy'n llai cyfarwydd â'r gerddorfa,
ac yn darparu canllaw gweledol i ba offerynnau sy'n creu'r synau a'r gweadau a glywn yn y darn.
as each wave of planes passes, demonstrating their impressive air display.
Mae'r cyfansoddiad 3 munud hwn yn darlunio'r cynhyrfiad cyn sioe awyr neu'r cyffro wrth i don o
awyrennau hedfan heibio, yn arddangos eu harddangosiad awyr drawiadol.
This project provides a breakdown of the orchestral sections and their instruments for those less familiar with the orchestra,
and provides a visual guide to which instruments create the sounds and textures we hear in the piece.
Mae'r prosiect hwn yn darparu dadansoddiad o'r adrannau cerddorfaol a'u hofferynnau i'r rhai sy'n llai cyfarwydd â'r gerddorfa,
ac yn darparu canllaw gweledol i ba offerynnau sy'n creu'r synau a'r gweadau a glywn yn y darn.
Part Two - Bookstore
‘Bookstore’ is a standalone musical theatre song, exploring the character’s excitement of visiting a bookstore,
and the dilemma of choosing which book to buy. With lyrics by friend, Rechoir singer and creative writing PHD Geri Smits,
we’ve had this on the back-burner for a few years, and we’re really excited to finally share it, especially in this fully orchestrated form!
Brought to life by the incredible Alexandra Doman, Ally makes this tricky melody sound completely effortless!
A huge thank you to all of the musicians involved. This song has some tricky corners,
especially having to record such a cola voce song to a click track, but your recordings were a pleasure to edit together.
Diolch i bob cerddor a gymerodd ran am eu hamser a’u talent.
Diolch enfawr i Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru a’r Loteri Genedlaethol am wneud y prosiect yma yn bosibl.
and the dilemma of choosing which book to buy. With lyrics by friend, Rechoir singer and creative writing PHD Geri Smits,
we’ve had this on the back-burner for a few years, and we’re really excited to finally share it, especially in this fully orchestrated form!
Brought to life by the incredible Alexandra Doman, Ally makes this tricky melody sound completely effortless!
A huge thank you to all of the musicians involved. This song has some tricky corners,
especially having to record such a cola voce song to a click track, but your recordings were a pleasure to edit together.
Diolch i bob cerddor a gymerodd ran am eu hamser a’u talent.
Diolch enfawr i Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru a’r Loteri Genedlaethol am wneud y prosiect yma yn bosibl.
V i r t u a l C h o i r s
Rechoir |
Cwmbach Male Choir |
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On 21st March 2020, Rechoir were supposed to meet for a social event following a very successful St. David's Day concert earlier that month. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, we were unable to meet, and soon found out that we would not be able to meet to rehearse or a long time.
Instead, we arranged to use that Saturday productively and asked our members to record themselves singing one of our newest arrangements. Here is the result. #keepsinging |
Celebrating their 99th Birthday virtually, Cwmbach Male Choir recorded a version of Happy Birthday for themselves in English and Welsh.
They also featured a third verse wishing HRH Prince Phillip a Happy Birthday, as he shared the same birthday as the choir - 10th June 1921. |
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NEW RECHOIR
VIDEOS COMING SOON! |
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CLOGAU CHRISTMAS AD
Working with S3 Advertising in Cardiff, I produced the musical arrangement and virtual choir audio and video for Clogau Gold's 2020 Christmas TV ad. Cwmbach Male Choir learned the arrangement during their weekly Zoom rehearsals then recorded their audio and video individually. These were then compiled into a choir audio and video performance, showcasing the choir even during these tough times for music groups and the arts.
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V i r t u a l O r c h e s t r a s
Seeing the excitement from Rechoir around doing a recording, I wondered whether musicians would be just as keen to be involved in a project like this. Most of us had had all of our work cancelled for the next few months, so if anyone else was feeling like me, they'd need a creative outlet, something to keep them busy and a reason to keep on playing.
I sent out an e-mail to friends and colleagues, and was astounded by the response! In total, there are 35 musicians and 12 singers involved, which is much larger scale than I expected this to be!
#keepplaying #keepsinging #virtualorchestra #virtualchoir
I sent out an e-mail to friends and colleagues, and was astounded by the response! In total, there are 35 musicians and 12 singers involved, which is much larger scale than I expected this to be!
#keepplaying #keepsinging #virtualorchestra #virtualchoir
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Virtual Orchestra #2 features 70 musicians and singers, many of whom featured in the first video, but also some new faces. The theme was James Bond, and everyone dressed to impressed and some even added props for added atmosphere.
Featuring some stunning solos, ensemble work and musicianship, the medley has received many views and some lovely comments. It has also been picked up be the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under their #RWCMDCreative hashtag, as the videos feature many current students and alumni of the college.
Featuring some stunning solos, ensemble work and musicianship, the medley has received many views and some lovely comments. It has also been picked up be the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under their #RWCMDCreative hashtag, as the videos feature many current students and alumni of the college.
Bristol Young
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Bristol Youth
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Bristol Plays Music's youth jazz scheme headed by Craig Crofton play their arrangement of Abdullah Ibrahim's Calypso Minor. It was a pleasure working with Craig and the ensemble to mix the audio and produce the video.
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Harold Arlen's 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' from the film The Wizard of Oz become something of an anthem for the key workers during the difficult Covid-19 times. This is Bristol Youth Orchestra's rendition. Congratulations to all of the players, as well as their creative team and Bristol Plays Music staff, including Claire, Tim, Rhian, Chris and Phil.
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If you would like advice and guidance on creating a virtual music project for your group,
or would like to enquire about me producing your virtual music video, please get in touch.
or would like to enquire about me producing your virtual music video, please get in touch.
