Choral / Vocal

Ave Virgo Sanctissima

For unaccompanied choir SSATB.

The chant melody and words for this setting are from a now obsolete Spanish Psalter of circa 1515.

As an antiphon to the Magnificat it is clearly influenced by the 'Song of Solomon' which is a much-loved text of the composer and the dedicatee, his mother -

Elizabeth Wilson (1933 - 2012)

You can listen here and download free sheet music here.

The Way to Glory

The Way to Glory is an Opera commissioned by Essex County Council and the Year of Opera and Music Theatre in the Eastern Region. First performed on 13th June 1996 at the Civic Theatre Chelmsford, conducted by the composer.

Here are some extracts from the premiere.

Three English Songs

i)- Music’s Empire (Marvell)

ii)- Music to Hear (Shakespeare)

iii)- If Music and sweet poetry agree (Barnfield)

Three metaphysical settings on the subject of music for voice and piano.

The middle song won the Recital music prize in 2010

Here is a wonderful performance by Catherine May and Christopher Weston

Canticle of Brother Sun

SSA + piano - a setting of the text by St Francis

Here is an extract of a performance by Junior Guildhall Choir.

Songs of Home

Lauds – Haiku – None - I din knaow - Bushes and Briars - Compline.

For SATB, Children’s Choir and Piano

Here is a performance given by the Waltham Singers under Andrew Fardell.

Laudate Dominum

SATB unaccompanied.

Written whilst in hospital recovering from a Covid scare. One has to do something to pass the time. Here is a recording and some ‘visuals’ with grateful thanks to John Mann and Penny Rich.

Blessings of the Kingdom

A reworking of the ‘Beatitudes’ with words by Patrick Appleford. For Chorus and Baritone soloist with Piano accompaniment. The soloist is here cast in the role of ‘everyman’ and responds to some of the issues raised in the sermon on the mount.

Here is a short extract.

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis

For SATB with Organ this work has enjoyed many performances

Here a couple of extracts from the Waltham Singers.

Magnificat

Nunc Dimittis

Pandora Sketches

SATB – Sop solo – Piano

Written for the Waltham Singers and the fine soloist Caroline Ashton this work has much to do with the subject of.......... women!
This track is 'She Walks in Beauty'.

Three Imaginary Beings

For Voice, Saxophone and Piano

My settings inspired by the writing of Jorge Luis Borges.

1. The Monkey of the Inkpot

2. Fastitocalon

3. The Basilisk.

Here is a performance by Triptych

The Light of Glory

For SATB, Organ and solo Saxophone

With words by Bez Berry

Here is a performance by Chigwell School Choir conducted by Howard Ebden.

The Tempestuous Petticote

For Mezzo Soprano, Oboe, Cello (Narrator) and Piano
Settings of the Poetry of Robert Herrick (1591 – 1674)

Here with Susie Self in the title role!

A Trinity of Carols

A setting of some Christmas favourites for chorus and orchestra.

Here is a short extract

Three Shakespeare Sonnets

For Voice, Clarinet and Piano

Variously composed between 1999 and 2005 these settings sit well together in that they share some thematic unity and sound worlds.

i.) Why is my verse so barren of new pride (Sonnet 76)

ii.) When forty winters shall besiege thy brow (Sonnet 2)

iii.) So it is not with me as with that muse (Sonnet 21)

Here are Triptych in a performance of no 21

Gloria

(SATB and Organ)

Written for the chapel choir of New Hall School. Here they are singing it…

Anima

For a choreographed work at the RFH with Junior Guildhall singers and dancers from 'The Place'.

Here they are in rehearsal……

Let me see your eyes

(Voice and Piano)

Written for my dear wife, Viv.

First the sung version with Holly Putt

How about an instrumental version?

There is a Pleasure

(Also known as ‘Nature’)

A song for mezzo and piano with words by Lord Byron.

Here is a recording by my friend Catherine May

Three Psalms

For SSA and Organ or Piano

I will give thee thanks
O Praise him in the community
In Unity

Here are some extracts

Peace

This song was awarded 1st Prize in Recital Music's 2010 Song-Writing Competition (Category "Peace is a setting of the poem 'My Soul there is a country', well known through the choral piece by Parry. Here, Wilson offers a very different but similarly thoughtful response to the text." [Singing/AOTOS, Autumn 2012]

Here is an extract

The Phoenix

For voice and Piano with words by Bez Berry.

On the Trinity College London grade list.

Here is an performance.

A Little Child

A song suitable for young voices and Christmas celebrations

Here is a performance.

Martha

Also known as 'Martha said'

A devotional song paraphrasing Luke 10

Here is a performance

Musicals

Whistles after dark

A tale of smuggling and romance for younger performers with words by Mark Valencia.

Here a short extract from the premiere.

The Time Machine

A whistle-stop tour of British History thanks to a handy time machine!

Cry Wolf

With words by Mark Valencia this vulpine romp was given a good outing by the Southend Boys Choir.

Here is an extract called ‘Were Wolves’

Do unto others

A contemporary re-working of some Shakesperean themes.