Composer
My works have been premiered across the Uk by professional ensembles including Quatour Danel, Trio Atem, Quartet Menine, Cobalt Brass, Ensemble L'Imaginaire, Psappha and the Manchester Contemporary Youth Opera Company, as well as many university ensembles, notably the Manchester University Symphony Orchestra.
In 2015, I was also awarded the Arthur Hargreaves award for Film Composition for my re-scoring of Lawrence of Arabia.
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Here you can find a catalogue of over 20 of my scores written for orchestra, stage, mixed ensembles, solo instrument and even some graphic scores. Below this, you'll also find a list of arrangements for a variety of ensembles and in many styles from jazz to world music, video game music to contemporary classical.
See more below
Commissioned by the Manchester Contemporary Opera Company, my chamber opera tackles the subject of the refugee experience in temporary camps. This work employs structural improvisation, determined by the whim of one of the characters and musical influences from numerous cultures around the world. Here you can watch a short sample of the first performance in 2017 at the Anthony Burgess Foundation.
Stage
Film Music
Winner of the 2015 University of Manchester Arthur Hargreaves award for Film Composition, this re-scoring of a section of Lawrence of Arabia is written for a chamber orchestra to perform.
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The score uses several leitmotifs attached to characters and objects to evoke powerful emotions in this iconic scene. I do not own the rights to this footage as it is for educational purposes only.
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Ensemble
Written for the renowned Manchester chamber ensemble 'PSAPPHA', this work for Flute, Double Bass, Piano and Percussion challenges the boundaries between classical and jazz notation and communication techniques. Have a listen below and you'll find a sample score above.
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Written for the Manchester Renaissance Ensemble and scored for Soprano, Lute and Viol de Gamba, this piece takes the form of a hybrid graphic score. The text is taken from Guillaume De Machaut’s ‘Le Remède de Fortune’.
Scored for 10 Bb clarinets, 2 Bass clarinets in Bb and solo Marimba (+4 kick bass-drums played by clarinetists) This piece explores new ways of communication within an ensemble and tackles themes of isolation and relationships.
Please get in touch for a copy of the score. Recordings to follow shortly.
A work scored for Solo trumpet and percussion. A meditative exploration of timbre, ever-expanding gesture and communication between performers. This piece never reaches it's own downbeat and comes in and out of thematic focus. Not unlike the horizon itself...
Please get in touch for a copy of the performance materials.
For 2 violins and viola.
This piece explores simultaneous accelerating and decelerating gestures that overlap. Workshopped here by Quatour Danel.
Solo
For solo Alto Flute.
Written for Gavin Osbourne of Trio Atem, this piece features elements of structural choice, improvisation and a plethora of extended techniques. Each performance is different. Here is one performance from 2018 performed by Gavin Osbourne at the Martin Harris Centre in Manchester.
For Solo Piano.
Long flowing melodies, jazz inspired harmony, frenetic development of textures, this piece is a wild ride and explores multiple methods of coordination between hands. Get in touch if you'd like a copy of the score.
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Orchestra
For Symphony Orchestra.
This piece explores aleatoric performance techniques and multi-faceted thematic and rhythmic structures all while using an accessible musical language to which any audience can relate. It also explores my relationship with Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands in-between the UK and France. Written for a proficient amateur orchestra this piece has an accessible music language that audiences can enjoy, whilst also utilizing aleatoric performance methods. Premiere T.B.C after Covid-19.
Arrangements
I have written arrangements for many styles, ensembles and ability levels. Some have remained close to original musical sources and some commissions have varied more widely. The following are a sample of the variety of arranging I have done:
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Dragonquest Dungeon Medley - composed by Koichi Sugiyama, arr. James Keirle for Symphony Orchestra
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Four Sea Interludes - Composed by Benjamin Britten, arr. James Keirle for Wind Dectet (Please get in touch if you're interested in the score)
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Viva La Vida - Composed by Chris Martin, arr. James Keirle for Brass Band
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Lion - Composed by Marius Neset, arr. James Keirle for Big Band
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Lingus - Composed by Michael League, arr. James Keirle for Big Band
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Hallelujah I Love Her So - Composed by Ray Charles, arr. James Keirle for Big Band
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The Acrobat - Composed by J.A Greenwood, arr. James Keirle for Orchestra
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Nardis - Composed by Bill Evans, arr. James Keirle for Big Band
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O Holy Night - Composed by Adolphe Adam, arr. James Keirle for Symphony Orchestra and chorus
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If you are interested in commissioning an arrangement for any ensemble, please get in touch.