David Morris Composer

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Introducing myself

I am a composer in Sydney, Australia. I studied piano to university level, have played various other instruments and sung in university, church, cathedral, community and massed choirs. My compositions are classical/romantic with a wide range of influences from plainchant to minimalism, and are well-crafted, flexible and rewarding for performers and listeners. I am looking for interested singers, instrumentalists, conductors and teachers anywhere in the world. With the exception of two or three small works and possibly one large work which may or may get completed, all my compositions are here.

My page at the Australian Music Centre is here.
My page at Wirripang Music Publishers is here.

Vocal – Choral – Instrumental – CONTACT

Adagio (concertino movement) for piano and large ensemble or small orchestra

Adagio (concertino movement) for piano and large ensemble or small orchestra (1984-2017). There are three versions: piano and ensemble/orchestra, 2 pianos with the first piano as solo and the second as an orchestral reduction, and 2 pianos with the two parts swapping roles.

I would like to write two more movements and turn this into a complete work, but it hasn’t happened yet …

Psalm chants for choir

‘Anglican chant’ is most often sung in Anglican, Episcopalian and similar churches.

Four pieces for violin, cello and piano

Four pieces for violin, cello and piano (1984-2002).

Sing praise for unison choir or congregation and keyboard

Sing Praise for unison choir or congregation and keyboard to a poem by Norman Anderson (2003). Norman was my great-uncle. He was a minister in the Congregational and Uniting Churches of Australia. His hobbies included painting, woodwork and poetry. I have two of his notebooks, which include these poems.

Narnian Suite for TB choir, trumpet, cello, timpani and bass drum

Narnia March (2004) to texts by CS Lewis (c). The instrumental parts can be omitted. The trumpet part can be played on a violin. The first sub-title is Lewis’s own. The second is mine. In the poetry book I found these in, the two poems are set separately. I managed to combine them in counterpoint.

Folk hymn arrangements for voices and instruments (flexible arrangements)

My shepherd will supply my need, Silent night, I wonder as I wander, Were you there when they crucified my Lord? and How can I keep from singing? for flexible combinations of vocal solo/duet, unison, 2-, 3- or 4-part choirs, piano solo or duet/organ and optional instruments, starting with violin, flute, clarinet and cello. They are designed for maximum flexibility. Any musically sensitive choices are encouraged. Published by Wirripang in 2023.

These are published separately, but can be sung in various combinations, including Silent night and Were you there?, My shepherd, I wonder and How can?, and all five in the order above.

My shepherd will supply my need

Silent night – first performed by Amy Myers (soprano), John Kim (cello) and Sarah Kim (organ), 7 December 2005
other known performances: the St James Singers (Sydney), cond Elise Morton, org Callum Knox, 24 December 2021; the St James Singers, cond/org Marko Sever. 24 December 2023

“I’m sure it will be well received – it captures the magic!” – conductor/teacher, Sydney.
“Congratulations on the wonderful performance of your lovely arrangement. The descant part sounds gorgeous, and I love the harmonies” – pianist/teacher, Sydney

I wonder as I wonder – first performed by the Penrith City Choir (Sydney), cond Lucy McAlary, pno duet Jane Andino and the composer, 2023

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

How can I keep from singing? – first performed by the Orange City Choir 1995. other known performances: Penrith City Choir (Sydney), cond Lucy McAlary, pno duet Jane Andino and the composer, 2023.

The Norwood setting for SATB choir and organ

The Norwood setting (Holy communion/Eucharist) for A Prayer Book for Australia or any Anglican/Episcopalian or similar service for SATB choir and organ (1989).

(From the early days of typesetting music, using Helvetica!)

Rounds

Three rounds for choir, singing group or congregation (2015).

Alleluia (2 part round). First performed by Coro Innominata conducted by Margaret Tesch-Muller at St Francis’s Church, Paddington, Sydney, Australia on 7 May 2023

Christ is risen (3 part round)

The fruit of the Spirit (4 part round)

A canticle of praise (Te deum laudamus) for SATB choir unaccompanied

A canticle of praise (Te deum laudamus/You are God, we praise you) for SATB choir (with short optional solos), English translation by the International Consultation on English Texts (c) (1998).

Death, life, birth for baritone and piano

Death, life birth for baritone (Bb2-E4) and piano – three songs to texts by WH Auden (c) and DH Lawrence (1995/2002/2020).