Freelance Composer/Arranger

As well working closely with some specific projects I also like to work as a freelance composer/arranger/orchestrator. Below are some other projects that I have been involved with in the past. If you have a project in mind that needs music please get in contact.

Big Bands / Workshops / Commissions

As you may or may not have gathered – I love working with big bands. Over the years I have worked with different ensembles as a guest conductor/composer. I really enjoy bringing my music to other bands and workshop it with them. Highlights have been working with;

• Graz Composers Ensemble (Austria)
• Satoko Fujii Tokyo Orchestra (Japan)
• Showa University of Music Big Band (Japan)
• l’Orchestre des Jeunes Jazzmen de Bourgogne (France)
• ATM15 (MEL)
• Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra (SYD)
• Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra (NSW)
• The Bennetts Lane Big Band (MEL)
• The Westend Composers Collective (QLD)
• Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra (QLD)
• The Con Artists (QLD)
• SA Superbands (SA)
• Perth Jazz Society All Star Big Band

I also love writing new music for big bands and have done so for;

• Jazz Orchestra of Sardinia (Italy)
• The Yellow Tone Orchestra (Germany)
• ATM15 Big Band (VIC)
• Hip Mo’ Toast Big Band (PER)
• WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (PER)
• WAAPA Big Band (PER)

PhD Research

I completed my PhD at the end of 2014 at Edith Cowan University under the supervision of Dr Cat Hope.  My research was in the area of site-specific composition utilising physical spaces as compositional inspiration and material. I am really interested in site-specific performance and composition and so I have been exploring unorthodox performance spaces like stairwells, bridges, tunnels and car parks to see what they can offer me in the way for compositional material.  There are some papers and writings on my research on the INSIGHTS page. You can read my PhD thesis HERE.

Ben Golby Solo Project

Ben is a singer/songwriter from Perth but now living in Melbourne to become a mega rock super star with the band Split Seconds. He is a top bloke who loves cricket and writes really strange and quirky songs that I really like. I have done some orchestrations for his solo piano/voice songs – two on his debut solo release “A Progress” and a recent one that is yet to be released. I am looking forward to working with Ben some more in the future.

• Listen on Bandcamp

Brass Bands & Concert Bands

I love writing for these ensembles as they have a totally different orchestral colour to the jazz groups I usually write for. I have worked with the Moreland City Brass Band re-arranging some of my original music for them as well as arranging some compositions by Melbourne trumpeter Peter Knight. They are a great brass band based in Melbourne who play very cool brass band repertoire – how could they not with Scott Tinkler as their MD.

I have also been commissioned by the Combined Districts Concert Band to compose a piece to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. They are a great bunch of musicians with a committed and hard working MD. The organisation has had so many great musicians start their carriers in the band. My piece entitles “Cryptic Triptych” will be released on a CD available on their website.

Orchestra

I must admit I have not written a lot for orchestra but would love to do more. I arranged some music a few years ago for WASO and The Panics. It was so cool to hear a great orchestra play my arrangements – I could really get used to that.

High School Arrangements/Orchestrations

I have done a fair bit of work for some high schools arranging and reorchestrating music to fit their current band line ups. If you are a music teacher that needs some music for your school then please make contact – I can help.