Schools &
Young People
All works available for hire or purchase from Philip, please get in touch directly here
A skilled orchestrator and arranger, Philip is happy to arrange any of his music or other pre-existing music to suit your musical forces and desired level.
Highlighted works are available for immediate purchase from reedmusic.com
Suitable for Childrens' Choirs
for all levels
2018
An Imaginary Menagerie for two--part choir & piano 2' 40"
(or 'The Sixth Sheikh's Sick Sheep' fun with tongue twisters)
Commissioned for the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Association 2016
Performed by the massed choir of the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival 2018
2009
Transports of Delight > for childrens' choir & piano 3' 15"
A medley of short songs with SA harmony, poems by Margaret Mahy: I. My Sister II. The Flingamango III. Plans Gone Wrong
Commissioned by the Christchurch North-West Schools' Music Festival 2009
2007
Songs of the Wild > for massed choir & piano 8'
Commissioned by the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Association 2008
I. Wild Bird Lullaby (Arthur Adams/Johannes Anderson) II. The Sea to the Shell (David Ross)
III. The Wasp and the Bee (anon.)
2003
Ravenous Uncles (and Many Thin Greedy Aunts) > for childrens' choir & piano (or orchestra) 10'
Four song settings of poems by Margaret Mahy:
I. The Man from the land of Fandango – II. Uncle James – III. Wonderful Me – IV. Tarragon Vinegar
Commissioned by the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Association, 2003. Funded by Trustpower
Performed by Juliet Reynolds–Midgley (singer) Malcolm McNeill (singer) and the CSO
2000
Witches, Clowns, Promises > for childrens' choir & piano (or orchestra) 10'
Five song settings of poems by Margaret Mahy:
I. The Tin Can Band – II. Promises – III. The Pines – IV. A Witch Poem – V. Clowns
Commissioned by the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Association, 2000
Performed by Juliet Reynolds–Midgley (singer) Malcolm McNeill (singer) and the CSO
1984
Thog Thaga > a musical for children 50'
Commissioned by Southwell School, Hamilton for the School’s 75th Jubilee.
Based on a school legend. Music and lyrics by Philip
Suitable for Youth Choirs
recommended for The Big Sing competition
2010
Psalm 150 > for SSAATTBB choir & organ with optional cymbals 3'
Commissioned by St Margaret's College Christchurch for its centenary celebration
2009
A New Sky > a song cycle for TTBB choir & piano 15'
Commissioned by the New Zealand Male Choir and Robert Auburn (Music Director) for the choir's 10th anniversary,
and their 2010 European Tour.
I. O Spirit of the Earth (Karakia, tras. G S Cooper) II. Keep Us Humble (Samuel Marsden) III. 'Tis a Silent Land (Edward Tregear)
IV. Our Christmas (Margaret Mahy) V. Our Cities Face the Sea (David McKee Wright)
2009
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis > for SATB choir & organ 6' 30"
Commissioned by Christ's College Chapel Choir and Robert Auburn (Music Director) with funding from Lochmaben Trust
2008
Carol of the (New Zealand) Birds > versions for SA or SS & piano or a capella SATB 1' 30"
Words by Philip Norman and trad. Czech
2001
A Garland of Songs for male voice choir & piano 10'
Three songs set to the poems of the late AK Grant and written in memory of the author.
Commissioned by the NZ Male Voice Choir Festival Committee for the 2001 festival, with funding from Creative NZ
2001
Love Song > for a capella TTBB choir 9'
Commissioned by the New Zealand Male Voice Choir Festival Committee, text by AK Grant.
Funding provided by Creative New Zealand
2000
Shipwreck > version for male voice choir & piano with optional percussion 12'
Commissioned by the Nelson Male Voice Choir for the National Male Choir of New Zealand’s tour of Wales, June 2000
Excerpt performed by Fortissimo (Dilworth School, Auckland) – "The Southern Gale"
1995
Plumsong > for a capella SATB choir with optional brass & piano accompaniment 15'
Commissioned by the NZ Choral Federation and the National Youth Choir of NZ with assistance from Creative NZ.
Text by AK Grant in the style of selected NZ poets.
​
Performed by the NZ Secondary Schools' Choir from their CD 'Pastime with Plums and Pizzazz'
1995
Proud to call New Zealand Home > a tongue-and-cheek song for barbershop quartet 3'
Commissioned by Garden City Sound, NZ's 1994 champion barbershop quartet for performance at the
World Jamboree of Barbershop Quartets in Miami, Florida.
1991
Does No-One Care? anthem for two--part youth choir (SA + solos) & piano 3'
Commissioned by St Barnabas Youth Choir for TVNZ broadcast. Words by Jennifer Murray
1989
Hunger Songs > for SSA choir 6' 30"
Commissioned by David Hamilton and Opus One, Epsom Girls, Auckland for their 1989 Finland tour.
Performed by Opus Choir
Suitable for Youth Orchestras
for all levels
2015
Processions three pieces for youth orchestra 7'
5(pc) 1 2(1.bcl/bsn) 1(bcl/bsn) / alto sax+Eb horn(or 2 F horns) 2 0 0 / timp, perc(3) / str
​
Commissioned by Susan Melville for the ocasion of a cultural exchange to Guilin and Shanghai, China by the musicians from the
Hawkes Bay Youth Orchestra in conjunction with the NZ China Friendship Society, April 2016.
2014
When Gravity Fails > a 'mini concerto' for solo viola & orchestra 8'
2 2 2 2 / 4 3 3 1 / timp, perc(2) / str
​
Commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia for Bryony Gibson-Cornish (2013 APO Young Soloist of the Year)
Based on three pieces from When Gravity Fails for viola & piano
Performed by Bryony Gibson-Cornish (viola) and the NZSO
Philip introduces When Gravity Fails
2009
Suite from Peter Pan > for orchestra 19'
2 2 2 2 / 2 2 2 1 / timp, perc(2/3), hp/pn / str
​
Commissioned for first performance by the Risingholme Orchestra, Christchurch
with funding from Creative New Zealand
Entr'acte & Pirates' Dance performed by Wellington Sinfonia (now Orchestra Wellington) and Kenneth Young (conductor)
2002
Suite from A Christmas Carol for orchestra 18'
2 2 2 2 / 2 2 2 1 / timp, perc(2), keyboard / str
Commissioned by Canterbury Philharmonia, funding from the Community Trust.
2000
Millennium Mambo for concert band 5'
3 flutes (1 piccolo), 2 oboes, 4 clarinets (1 bass cl), 2 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 baritone sax
3 trumpets, 2 horns in F, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, 1 euphonium, 4 percussion
Commissioned by the New Zealand Concert Bands Association for their Millennium Festivals in Auckland and Dunedin, 2000.
1999
The House that Sings for string orchestra 10'
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1998
The Castaway Sailor > for narrator & orchestra 24'
2(1.p) 2 2 2 / 4 3 2(1.btbn) 1 / timp, perc(2) / str
​
Commissioned by the Christchurch Youth Orchestra and Paul Mayhew (conductor). Script by Michaelanne Forster.
With funding from Creative New Zealand.
1997
Between Rivers > for youth orchestra 9'
2 2 0 0 / 0 0 0 0 / timp, perc(1) / str
(optional additional parts for a third flute, 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 horns in F, 2 trumpets in B-flat and 2 trombones)
​
Commissioned by the Hawkes Bay Youth Orchestra for its 50th Anniversary, assistance from Hawkes Bay Community Trust
1996
The Park > suite for orchestra 20'
3 2 2 2 / 4 3 3 1 / timp, perc(2) / str
Commissioned by Canterbury Philharmonia Society with funding from Creative New Zealand.
1991
Mists for orchestra 2' 15"
2 2 2 2 / 2 0 0 0 / str (winds optional)
1990
The Ballad of Settler McGee > a youth celebration 20'
for youth choir, youth orchestra, jazz orchestra, concert band, brass band, pipe band, kapa haka & rock band
Commissioned by Concert FM for performance at the World Youth Festival Christchurch, 1990. Lyrics by Philip
Performed by the National Youth Choir, National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Concert Band, New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra, National Youth Pipe Band, Maori Ensemble, Rock Band from 1990
1989
Then and Now two pieces for jazz big band 7'
Commissioned by Blackburn High School (Melbourne) for its 1989 tour of the South Island.
chamber & Instrumental music
suitable for grades 4 – 8, recommended for the NZCT Chamber Music Competition
2020
Planxty: Peter Morgan for solo piano 5' 30"
Commissioned by Mary Brennan for the 70th birthday of Peter Morgan
2015
When Gravity Fails version for clarinet & piano 8'
2012
Jazz Pieces a song recycle for flute, alto sax, cello & piano 13'
2011
Jazz Nibbles a song recycle for flute, alto sax, double bass & piano 12'
Birthday Music > three pieces for solo flute 7' 30"
Commissioned for Hugues Roberts by his family and friends on the occasion of his 18th birthday,18 May 2010
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2010
Jazz Bites a song recycle for flute, violin, double bass & piano 9'
2010
When Gravity Fails > six pieces arranged for viola & piano 14'
Performed by Barry Cockcroft (sax) and Adam Pinto (piano)
1999
Evening Romance from 'The Park Suite' arr. for easy piano solo 2'
1994
Bridgewater Quartet > for flute, clarinet, violin & piano 14' 30"
Performed by a student ensemble for the NZCT Chamber Music Competition 2007
Suitable for Education / family concerts
2019
Snake and Lizard for narrator and orchestra 7' 30"
2(1.p) 2 2 2(1.cbn) / 4 3 3 1 / timp, xylo, perc / str
​
Commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia for the APO 4 Kids Story time Concert March & April 2019
2015
Animals of the Orchestra for chamber orchestra 10'
2 2 2 2 / 1 1 2 0 / timp, perc(1) / str ( + optional tuba and trumpet II )
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A reworking of a selection from Saint–Saens 'Carnival of the Animals'.
Devised for Resonance Ensemble Kidsfest programme, July 2015
2013
The Cat Who Became a Poet > for narrator & chamber orchestra 11'
2 2 2 2 / 2 2 2 0 / perc(2), hp / str
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Setting of a story by Margaret Mahy. Commissioned by the CSO for a Margaret Mahy Memorial concert.
Funded by Creative New Zealand
Performed by the CSO
2009
A Lion in the Meadow > for narrator & small orchestra 3' 30"
2 2 2 2 / 0 0 0 0 / timp, perc(1) / str
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Setting of the childrens' book of the same name, by Margaret Mahy.
Commissioned by the CSO for a Margaret Mahy Memorial concert with funding from Creative New Zealand.
Performed by Juliet Reynolds–Midgley (narrator) and the CSO
Performed by Anna Coddington (narrator) and the NZSO
1998
The Castaway Sailor > for narrator & orchestra 24'
2(1.p) 2 2 2 / 4 3 2(1.btbn) 1 / timp, perc(2) / str
​
Commissioned by the Christchurch Youth Orchestra and Paul Mayhew (conductor). Script by Michaelanne Forster.
With funding from Creative New Zealand.
1992
The Juggler Overture > for orchestra & optional juggler 5'
2(1.p) 2 2 3(1.2.cbn) / 4 3 3 1 / perc, hp / str
Commissioned by the NZSO for Ron Goodwin's Summer Pops tour 1993
Performed by the NZSO and Ron Goodwin (conductor) (from 1993)