Music
Stage | Orchestra | Choir | Large Ensemble | Small Ensemble
Stage
Gresffordd, I’r Goleuni ‘Nawr | Gresford, Up From Underground
Community Opera with librettist Grahame Davies
2024-2026
Ivors Academy (Ivor Novello) Award Nominee for Best Community and Participation Composition in association with ABRSM and a Royal Philharmonic Society Award Nominee for Impact.
Forces: 2sop.mez.ten.bar.b-bar/SATBch
fl(picc).cl(bcl)/tbn/perc/pf/vln.vla.vlc
Duration: 90’
Commissioner: NEW Sinfonia & North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 12th September 2024, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
The opera is a dramatic retelling of the Gresford Mining Disaster, one of the worst coal mining disasters in UK history. The explosion in 1934 devastated the local community of Gresford and left emotional and physical scars on the surrounding area of Wrexham for generations.
The themes explored in the opera resonate now just as much as they did at the time of the disaster. Feelings of despair, loss and injustice evolve into sentiments of resilience, determination, and finally resurgence.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Slumbersaurus and The Quest for the Lost Bara Brith Recipe
Musical Adventure Play
2025
Forces: nar.pup/fl.cl(asax)/tpt.tbn/perc/hp/vln.vlc
Duration: 40’
Commissioner: NEW Sinfonia
World Premiere: 5th May 2025, Tŷ Pawb Wrexham
About the work:
Slumbersaurus is restless, mischievous and curious young dinosaur, who instead of going for a nap, loves to set out on roarsome musical adventures.
Slumbersaurus awakens from his nap feeling a bit peckish so Nain offers him some of her famous Bara Brith. Suddenly, Nain screams upon realising her Top Secret Recipe has mysteriously disappeared. Slumbersaurus boldly sets forth from the cave to overcome perilous obstacles and devious dinosaurs to recover the lost recipe.
Slumbersaurus and The Halloween Spooktacular
Musical Adventure Play
2025
Forces: nar.pup/fl.cl/tpt.tbn/perc/hp/vln.vlc
Duration: 40’
Commissioner: NEW Sinfonia
World Premiere: 31st October 2025, Tŷ Pawb Wrexham
About the work:
Slumbersaurus is restless, mischievous and curious young dinosaur, who instead of going for a nap, loves to set out on roarsome musical adventures.
It was Halloween and Slumbersaurus was scooching down into bed to listen to a ghoulish story from his Nain but by the time she had finished he was snoring peacefully. Sometime later though he was awoken by a strange noise and spots a mysterious glowing dino jackal lantern. Upon picking up the lantern he is whisked off an nightmarish adventure involving ghost trains, haunted concert halls and exploding volcano giants.
Slumbersaurus and The Christmas Cracker Caper
Musical Adventure Play
2025
Forces: Narrator.Puppeteer.Santa.Pwca
2(2.picc).1.2(2.bcl).1/2.1.0.0/timp.perc/pf(cel).hp/strings
Duration: 30’
Commissioner: NEW Sinfonia
World Premiere: 22nd December 2025, William Aston Hall Wrexham
About the work:
Slumbersaurus is restless, mischievous and curious young dinosaur, who instead of going for a nap, loves to set out on roarsome musical adventures.
It is Christmas Eve and Slumbersaurus is feeling very festive. He is putting together the final touches to the Christmas decorations when suddenly disaster strikes. Nain enters holding the stamp he meant to lick and stick to his letter to Santa, but without a stamp on his letter Santa won’t have received it and he won’t know what Slumbersaurus has asked for Christmas. A daring dash to the North Pole ensues as Slumbersaurus endeavours to save Christmas.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Orchestra
Tales from Bosnia
Orchestral Suite for Solo Mezzo Soprano, Solo Guitar and Orchestra
2023
Forces: Mez/Gtr
2(2.picc).1.2(2.bcl).1/4.2.0.0/2perc/pf.hp/strings
Duration: 15’
Commissioner: Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
World Premiere:5th July 2025, Pafiliwn Llangollen Pavilion
About the work:
Tales from Bosnia is collection of three traditional Bosnia songs for solo voice, solo guitar and orchestra.
Kiša bi pala (It will rain) begins with a deep emotional outpouring for the Mezzo soloist. Next, Što te nema (Why are you gone) gives a brooding feeling with shimmering strings accompanied by shekere and cajon. And finally Snijeg pade na behar na voće (Snow fell on the fruit) whips the orchestra up into an inferno with wild trumpet soli and racing winds that propel us to frantic climax.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Hen Chwedlau | Tales of Old
Orchestral Suite
2022
Forces: 3(3.picc).3(3.cor).3(3.bcl).3(3.dbn)/4.2.3.1/timp.2perc/pf.hp/strings
Duration: 8’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 1st October 2022, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
Wales has a rich folk music heritage which I continue to draw upon for inspiration in my writing. Rather than being a musical anthology, Hen Chwedlau | Tales of Old uses two tunes as the catalyst for its musical development. Across four interlinked short movements Mae gen I ddafad I gorniod (I have a sheep with horns, Sir) and Bachgen Bach o dinner (Ho! the little tinker) are woven into the orchestral tapestry. The tunes are taken from the Hwiancerddi Cymru, a wonderful selection of nursery rhymes compiled by W. S. Gwynn Williams.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Auburn Dusk
Scherzo for Strings, Harp and Percussion
2021
Forces: 2perc/hp/strings
Duration: 8’ 30’’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 10th May 2022, BBC Hoddinott Hall
About the work:
Auburn Dusk is a Scherzo in three sections beginning with a simmering fast moving rhythmic idea in the violins. Each section of the orchestra joins steadily, each adding their own idea into the mix mimicking the idea of different shades of light dancing among cloud formations at dusk. The texture continues to build before erupting into a bold and joyous melody which evokes a vibrant sunset.
As one melody ebbs away a new funky idea bursts in. Based on the traditional folk song 'Tôn y Melinydd' (The Miller’s Tune), jostling violins and grooving lower strings all compete to be heard before drifting into a mist of clustered harmonics. The final section joins the different melodies whereby the folk tune acts as slow countermelody in the celli and bass to contrast with the fast moving lighter theme above in the violins.
Fire Dance
Orchestral Piece
2020
Forces: 2.2(2.cor).2.2/2.2.2.0/timp.perc/hp/strings
reduction available 1.1.1.1/2.1.1.0/perc/strings
multi ability parts available for workshops and youth orchestras
Duration: 4’ 30’’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 4th February 2021, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
Fire Dance begins in smouldering ambiguity with a dense, cloudy texture covering an emerging haunting melody in the low strings, horns and clarinets. Rumblings in the lower brass and percussion cut through the musical obscurity with a feeling of foreboding before an orchestral wail signals the start of the energetic fiery dance. This 7/8 dance has a perpetual energy that continues to propel the piece to the fanfaric conclusion.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Elemental
Aether – Earth – Water - Wind - Fire
Orchestral Suite
2019
Forces: 2.2(2.cor).2.2/2.2.2.0/timp.perc/hp/strings
multi ability parts available for workshops and youth orchestras
Duration: 9’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 26th September 2019, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
Elemental is a musical representation of the classical elements typically referred to in various ancient cultures as Earth, Water, Wind or Air, Fire and later Aether. These elements were proposed to explain the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. In this piece the five elements are woven together in a series of connected musical sections.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
A Veiled Smile
Orchestral Suite
2018
Forces: 2.2(2.cor).2.2/2.2.2.0/timp.perc/hp/strings
multi ability parts available for workshops and youth orchestras
Duration: 8’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 29th September 2018, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
A Veiled Smile reimagines the popular wartime marching song “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile” by St Asaph born brothers Felix and George Powell. It was commissioned by the North Wales International Music Festival to mark the centenary of the end of World War 1.
The piece begins as if under a veil of smoke whereby a blended soundscape created by the orchestra disguises the melodies coming from the brass section. The veil is lifted with the emergence of the “Pack Up Your Troubles” theme which is recognisable but altered to feel more playful. This theme is taken through a variety of transformations before hinting at a final climax, but the mist descends once more and the theme drifts away over the horizon.
Choir
In The Wood
Song for Choir and Piano
2026
Forces: SATB Choir with Piano
Duration: 7’ 30’’
Commissioner: Cantorion Rhos
World Premiere: 10th July 2026, St Giles’ Church, Wrexham
About the work:
In The Wood is a choral setting of the poem by Sara Teasdale, a Pulitzer Prize winning American Lyric Poet from the early 20th Century. The music explores the profundity and melodrama the text finds in the ordinary aspects of everyday life. A simple and joyful walk in the natural world is suddenly tainted by the appearance of an ominous snake, a deliberate ambiguity perhaps acting as a symbolic warning that every pursuit of beauty or bliss has its risks.
The Nightingale
Song for Choir and Orchestra (or Piano reduction)
2020
Forces: SATBch/1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/perc/pf.hp/strings
or SATBch/pf
Duration: 3’ 30’’
Commissioner: NEW Sinfonia
World Premiere: 28th November 2021, St Giles’ Church, Wrexham
About the work:
The Nightingale is a song written for Choir and Orchestra with lyrics by my Dad, Tim Guy. Written in support of the Wrexham based Hospice, Nightingale House Hospice, the song is a sweeping lush homage to the people and place who support and care for loved ones in times of crisis. The song has been translated into Welsh by Glenys Harris and performed by DeeSign BSL Choir.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
There’s Just No Time
Song for Poet, Choir and Orchestra
2021
Forces: Poet, SATBch, Harp and Strings
Duration: 6’ 30’’
Commissioner: Tŷ Cerdd
World Premiere: 28th November 2021, St Giles’ Church, Wrexham
About the work:
There’s just no time was composed in collaboration with Wrexham Poet Evrah Rose for NEW Sinfonia Ten4Ten festival. The work explores the thoughts and feelings of the choral participants of NEW Voices, whose experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic were woven together by Evrah. The song is divided into two sections; a Recitation with the poet performing their text over soundscape created by the choir and orchestra, and a concluding Chorale where the choir resolutely embrace the light.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Large Ensemble
Resurgence & Up From Underground
from Gresford, Up From Underground
Suite for Brass Band
2025
Forces: Standard Brass Band
Duration: 10’
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
About the work:
This suite is an arrangement of two movements from the Opera Gresford, Up From Underground. The music in the opera draws inspiration from the beautiful hymn tune - Gresford, The Miners Hymn - which was composed in the aftermath of the disaster by Durham Collier Robert Saint. This hymn tune has become a staple of the Brass Band repertoire and is regularly performed at poignant mining events across the country, such as the Gresford Memorial Service and the Durham Miners Gala.
As the musical story of Gresford is intrinsically linked with Brass Band culture it seemed only right that a work that draws inspiration from this rich musical heritage should come full circle and be performed by Brass Bands. The suite presents two movements from the climax of the Opera;
1. Resurgence - where the spirits of the fallen miners encourage their descendants to live well in hope.
2. Up From Underground - a final rousing chorus where the entire community collectively state their determination to rise and overcome.
Where Light meets Dark
Suite for Sinfonietta and Audio Visuals by Ant Dickinson
2021
Forces: fl(picc).ob(cor).cl(bcl).bn/hn.tpt.tbn/perc/hp(synth)/2vln.vla.vlc.db
with Audio Visual content for 3 screens
Duration: 30’
Commissioner: NEW Sinfonia
World Premiere: 26th November 2021, St Giles’ Church, Wrexham
About the work:
Where Light meets Dark was conceived prior to the pandemic in late 2019 with the idea of combining visuals with original orchestral music. It began with no pre-conceptions other than to explore contrast, taking the title as a starting point. Throughout its development with visual artist Ant Dickinson, ideas relating to nature, life and its origins were drawn upon as the inspiration for the journey from Light to Dark and the return to the Light.
Photography Credit: Stephen Cain | ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Shining Dawn
Bagatelle for String Orchestra
2021
Forces: 2vln.vla.vlc.db
Duration: 5’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 8th April 2021, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
Shining Dawn takes two simple ideas; a melodic fragment and repeating arpeggio texture, that emerge and weave together growing in strength and purpose. This journey through the piece is representative of the sun rising above the rolling rugged landscape of the Clwyd Hills in North East Wales.
Small Ensemble
Atgofion O’n Dyfodol | Memories from Our Future
Piece for String Quartet, Voices and Electronics
2025
Forces: 2vln.vla.vlc, voices and fx pedals
Duration: 8’ 30’’
Commissioner: Tŷ Cerdd
World Premiere: 9th August 2025, National Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Wrecsam
About the work:
Atgofion O’n Dyfodol | Memories from Our Future is a piece for string quartet, voices and fx pedals written for the 2025 Medal y Cyfansoddwr ‘Cymru Fydd’ pathway.
Responding to the brief of creating a new work inspired by the Welsh-language science fiction novel Wythnos yng Nghyrmu Fydd by Islwyn Ffowc Elis, I decided to create a piece that drew inspiration from the different cultures and peoples that call Wrexham ‘home’ today. Each section within the piece draws influence from Portuguese, Polish, Nigerian, as well as Welsh folk traditions, for its creative juice.
In my version of a Week in a Future Wrexham, the utopian future is a multicultural and diverse Wrexham with many languages and cultures equally respected and cherished. My thanks go to the wonderful team at Tŷ Cerdd for delivering this pathway in partnership with the National Eisteddfod, Sinfonia Cymru, and the Welsh Music Guild.
Aurum, through a prism
Audio Visual Installation
2021
Forces: fl.bcl.asax
Duration: 8’
Commissioner: North Wales International Music Festival
World Premiere: 29th September 2021, St Asaph Cathedral
About the work:
Aurum, through a prism is a reworking of the theme from Auburn Dusk but as if heard through a kaleidoscopic prism.
The piece is designed to be performed as a recorded audio visual installation with the 3 instrumentalists projected onto the interior of the performance space. This idea was a response to reimagining how instrumentalists could perform during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Spectral textures are created by multiple overlapping lines for each of the wind instruments which interplay with kaleidoscope visuals. Briefly the musicians return as the theme becomes clear but then almost immediately begin to fracture.
