Works

Concert works 

Scores and parts are made available, for an appropriate fee. Please enquire via the contact page.

Solo Guitar

The Guitarist’s Bach
Neo-Baroque work in five movements: Prelude, Courante, Sarabande, Bouree and Gigue. A work spun form two quotes from the so-called Lute Suites of JS Bach. Premiered 6/4/14 in Melbourne by Tonié Field.
Duration c.9’00

Return to the Dance
Neo-baroque suite in four movements: Danza, Minuet, Return and Return to the Dance. Moderate difficulty. Duration c.9’00

Ice Crystals
Contemporary Classical suite in five movements.Professional standard. Duration c.10’30

Isolation Suite
A set of eight related pieces for guitar: Isolationist, Quietude, Steel Grey, Sunset Reflection, Rising Tension, Anamnesis, Endure, Flowers Still Bloom. Advanced standard. Total duration c.17’00

The Farmyard Bagatelles
A set of six character sketches for Classical guitar: Saddlebag blues, Cow-pat waltz, Shoo-fly, Runnin' through the corn, Makin' hay while the sun shines, Country Roads. Moderate difficulty standard. Duration c.7’45

Summer Suite
Contemporary Classical suite in five movements: Daybreak, New Day, Siesta, @ The Party, Last Rays of a Setting Sun. Professional standard. Duration c.9’00

Suite Romanza
A suite in neo-classical style. G Major. Four movements: Prelude, Scherzo, Fantasie, Romance. Professional standard. Duration c.11'00

La despedida (The farewell)
A beautiful single-movement solo in D Major. In DC Rondo form it is, stylistically an homage to the Romantic Spanish style. Intermediate-low advanced standard. Duration c.4’10

Summer Rain
An atmospheric single-movement solo in D Minor that reflects the feel and intensity of the stormy summer day it was composed on. Intermediate standard. Duration c.3’00

Ukulele works

Short & Sweet
A work in three movements for solo Concert, or Tenor Ukulele: Poco allegro, Vivace, Moderato. Advanced level. Duration c.6’10

Platypus Rag
A short, bouncy work for Guitar with Taropatch Ukulele. Standard: low-advanced. Duration c.1’50

Duos, groups

The Bells of Beechworth
A work for two guitars tuned to D G D G B E.  Inspired and based on a distinctive bell sequence, heard in the old Victorian goldfields town Beechworth, this work is in six movements; the two outer ones the most substantial, the inner four less than 2’10 each. Appealing work for audiences. Moderate difficulty. Recording available on the After the Fire CD.  
Duration c.13’15

Crossing the Spheres
A work in five movements two guitars, standard tuned. Appealing work for audiences. Advanced range.  Duration c.15’00

Sunset Bay
Single-movement work for four guitars, two with low D tuning.  A languid 'summery' piece that features guitars 1 & 2 playing a hrmonised melody. Surf-rock for classical guitarists!
Accessible work for audiences. Moderate difficulty. 
Duration c.5'00

Constellation: Five images for Guitar Quartet
A work in five movements for Guitar Quartet: 1. Travel by Thought. 2. Glaxies Within. 3. Constellation. 4. The Night Dances. 5. Return.  Scored for two standard concert classical guitars, Alto classical guitar, and bass guitar (acoustic or electric).  An exciting contemporary concert work. Professional range. Duration c.15'00

Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra (Zupforchester)

Brolga Dances
Scored for Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars 1 & 2, Mando-cello, Double-bass, and includes solo lines for the Mandolin, and Guitar leaders. 
Four movements: Based on the Australian Aborigines Dreamtime story about the creation of the Brolga (large stork-like bird with distinctive dancing rituals).
Includes story for narration, if desired. A charming work, this is a real audience pleaser. Recording available on Brolga Dances by Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra. 
Duration c.13’20

Concerto Mandolino
Large-scale concert work. Scored for Solo Mandolin, Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars 1 & 2, Mando-cello, Double-bass, 1 Percussion, including Timpani
Unique palindromic five movement structure: Poco Allegro; Minuet; Adagio/Andante; Scherzo; Rondo: Vivace. Suits large orchestras but can be adapted to medium size ensembles; mando-cello is optional and timpani can be substituted. Solo is professional standard. Orchestra parts moderate difficulty. Duration c.19’00

Eclipse : Concerto for Mandola & Zupforchester
Scored for Solo Mandola, Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars (one part) and Double-bass.
Three movements: Poco Allegro; Adagio cantabile; Allegro assai. Suits medium to large ensembles. Solo is professional standard; orchestra parts moderate difficulty. 
Duration c.15’45

Concerto for Guitar & Plucked Strings
Scored for Solo Guitar, Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars (one part) and Double-bass.
Three movements: Allegro moderato; Largo; Finale: Rondo. Suits medium to large ensembles. Solo is professional standard; orchestra parts moderate difficulty. 
Duration c.14’30

Bishop’s Spell : a Concerto for Recorder, Mandola and Plucked Strings
Commissioned by Marion Blazé in dedication to the memory of her parents, Frank and Ida Bishop. Scored for Descant Recorder, solo Mandola, Mandolins 1 & 2, ensemble Mandola, Guitars, Double-bass, percussion (bongos - 3rd mvt only).
Three movements: Fast - slow - fast. Appealing contemporary classical work for small to medium-size ensembles. Moderate difficulty.
Duration c.10’20

Viaggio del Mandolino
Scored for Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars 1 & 2, Mando-cello and Double-bass. Commissioned by FAME for the Canberra Mandolin Festival 2019 and premiered on January 12 at the Albert Hall, Yarralumla. An appealing work in four movements: Preludio, Vivaldioso, Aria and The Outback Tarantella. Mixed technical levels; Mandolin 1 and Guitar 1 are of advanced range. Duration c.13’30

Ringing The Strings
Scored for Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars 1 & 2, Double-bass.
Three movements: Fast - slow - fast. Excellent modern classical work for small to medium-size ensembles. Moderate difficulty.  
Duration c.10’15

Capricorn Light : Solo Flute & Zupforchester
Scored for Flute, Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars, Double-bass, Mando-cello (optional).
A wrok in two movements: Allegretto cantabile; Allegro. Popular with audiences. Moderate difficulty.
Recording available on Brolga Dances by Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra. 
Duration c.5’30

Amorevolezza Suite
Inspired by the Dava Sobel book Galileo's Daughter, this large-scale concert work requires a narrator, and an actor to play the part of Suor Maria Celeste. Six movements; scored for Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars 1 & 2, Mando-cello, Double-bass. The music is neo early-baroque in style and is based on two phrases sourced from the lute music of the famous astronomer's brother Michaelangelo Galilei. Can be presented as pure music if desired. A striking work, the full version provides a memorable concert highlight for audiences . The 6th movement 'But she is still there' is available on Mandolino Italiano by the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra. Duration - full version c.25’00

After The Fire
Appealing single-movement work. D Major. Scored for Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitars 1 & 2, 6th string tuned to low D.
Title-track on After The Fire (MOVE MCD 492). Duration c.6'40

Pacifica
Engaging single-movement work in D Major. Scored for standard Mandolin & Guitars orchestra with percussionist; features sizzle-cymbals to create waves effect. Popular with audiences.
1st track on Brolga Dances by Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra. Duration c.7'00

3 Slips and a Gully
Appealing frippery. Scored for standard Mandolin & Guitar ensemble. Requires conductor to put on a cricket umpire's hat and make cricket hand signals at orchestra stops.
Good for a laugh with audiences. Duration c.3'30

French Suite No.5 by JS Bach: arranged for plucked strings by Michelle Nelson
In D Major and scored for Mandolins 1 & 2, Mandola, Guitar, Double-bass.
Seven movements: Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gavotte, Bourree, Loure, Gigue. Excellent arrangement of a well known Baroque keyboard suite. Best suited to small to medium-size ensembles. Advanced standard overall, though movements 3, 4 and 6 are of only moderate difficulty.

Four 17th & 18th Century Italian Arias
A beautiful set of arrangements of classic Italians art-songs, scored for Soprano with standard plucked-strings orchestra. 1. Caro mio ben. 2. Se tu m'ami, se sospiri. 3. Nina. 4. Tu lo sai.  These richly harmonic arrangements are popular with players and audiences aiike. Recording available on Mandolino Italiano by Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra. Duration c.12'30

Symphony / String Orchestra

Avancé
a single-movement in three main sections. Outer sections are based on funk rhythms. Scored for Flutes 1 & 2, Oboes 1 & 2, Clarinettes 1 & 2, Oboes 1 & 2, Horns 1 & 2 , Trumpets 1, 2 & 3, Trombone, Bass Trombone, 1 & 2, Tuba, Timpani, 2 Percussionists, standard strings section. Appealing modern work; aimed at younger audiences. Duration c.7’40

Concerto for Guitar & String Orchestra
Orchestral version of Concerto for Guitar & Plucked Strings. Scored for Solo Guitar, Violins 1 & 2, Viola, Cello and Double-bass.
Three movements: Allegro moderato; Largo; Finale: Rondo. Suits medium to large ensembles. Solo is professional standard; orchestra parts moderate difficulty. 
Duration c.14’30

Chamber works

Suite in E Minor for Flute & Guitar
A substantial concert work in three movements: Andante- Allegro; Laghetto; Rondo: Vivace. Professional standard for both players. Recording available on the After the Fire CD.  
Duration c.14’30

Eight Bagatelles for Recorder and Guitar
A set of short character pieces. Includes capo and scordatura for guitar. Suitable for flute & guitar. Duration c.9'00

‘Birrarung Suite’ for Violin, Cello & Guitar
A beautiful contemporary classical work, always received well from concert audiences. Three movements: Idyll, Decay & Regeneration. Professional standard. Recording available on the After the Fire CD. 
Duration c.16’30

Suite in G for Recorder Quartet
Appealing neo-baroque style. Three movements: Allegretto; Andante e cantabile ; Rondo: Allegro. Scored for Descant, Treble, Tenor and Bass. Intermediate standard. Duration c.6’50

Two pieces for Harp and Guitar
Dreamy, contemporary classical style. Falling Ashes and Floating Away. Advanced standard. Duration c.8’00

Student Guitar Ensemble

El Noi de La Mare
Intermediate, suits teens. Excellent arrangement for four guitars, and includes an optional mandolin part. Duration c.2:15

Maleguena
Intermediate, suits teens and has a middle section that calls for some improvised lines. Optional mandolin part. Duration c.2:30

Pavanas by Gaspar Sanz
Similar to above;  Duration c.3'00

Canarios by Gaspar Sanz
Higher standard; suits good teens. Quartet arrangement. Popular item with students and audiences.  Duration c.2'30

Asturia by Isaac Albeniz
High standard; suits good teens. Quartet arrangement. Fanatstic concert item; gauranteed to please!  Duration c.5'35

Granados by Isaac Albeniz
High standard; suits good teens. Quartet arrangement. Serious concert item; impresses audiences.  Duration c.4'40

Carmen’s Harbanera
The classic tune by Bizet; perfect for guitar ensemble. Intermediate to advanced standard; suits good teens. Duration c.3'00

Contemporary Guitar: published studies and characteristic solos

Rock Ballad. Folk Song; Big Bass Blues; Rock Blues in A; Monster Metal; Skipping the Strings; Erik's Waltz; The AC/DC Song; Rockin' Along; Big Pop Gun;  Bluegrass Pickin'; Scale Study in E Major; Scale Study in G Minor; Dreaming; Power Chords; e - Rock; Black Stripes; Psychedelic Strings; Within Without; Rock Cliches; Rock Cliches II, Rock Cliches III; 5th Position Study; 3rd Position Study;Way Down South; Singin' the Blues; Dig This; T-Bone Drive; Jimmy Explodes; Outback Days; Minnie Gets Back to Texas; Wind in the Sails; Baroque n' Roll; West of Wes; Funky Chords; Shadows of Summer; Stax o' Wax; Django Jango; Walkin' the Walk; Country Road; Hats Off to Jimmy Page; Fuky Stuff; Homage to W.G.L. ; Stevie Ray's Low Down Boogie; Gypsy Fingers; Acoustic Waves; Cool Bossa; Walkin' the Dog; Syncro-pickers; Hit The Road; Moonlight on the Seine; Electric Blues; Midnight Blues; Baker Street Blues; Funky Blues; the Tex-Mex Tango; The Hayseed Waltz; Lester's Strut; Ready, Setz, Go! ; Jazz Nights; Fat Black Pussycat; El Rocco; Twenty-five Studies for Classic Electric Guitar (25 original items);