Compositions

As a woodwind teacher, Keri could see the need for a fully flexible collection of quartets for newer to intermediate players. The idea emerged to create a collection of quartets of varying difficulty for amateur ensembles to enjoy playing. The resulting collection for grade 2-5 players provide the opportunity for music making whilst meeting the need of various instrument groups and also allowing for changes in players. Parts A,B,C and D all come in C, Bb, and Eb so they are entirely playable on almost all woodwind. The 8/9 pieces (currently being decided) are of varying styles; suitable for any mood, from reflective ('Gymnopedie' and 'Milonga no more'), sentimental ('All that you are'), film soundtrack-like ('Together we stand'), down to ridiculously silly! ('Shmooky and Mo', 'Cos Ned said' and 'Clockwork chuck'!). Great for little concert items, and great as a bench mark tester for your ensembles (the quartets gradually gain in difficulty through the book from approx grade 2 to 5). Make sure you're on our mailing list (our emails are pretty sparse so you won't be bombarded!) to receive free samples for your group to try. Pick & Mix quartets will also be available as a digital download and print edition (PDF email delivery). Click the following link to hear a digital audio interpretation of 'Shmooky and Mo' ; http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_7817896

  

 

 

Kayleigh in Killarney' Celtic style saxophone quartet (SATB) 2009

 

Kayleigh in Killarney is a rousing SATB quartet of around 3.5 minutes duration. It begins with a Soprano and Baritone question and answer type introduction which reveals the main theme. Accompaniment gives a definite celtic bagpipe feel complimenting the melody line nicely. The piece also features a jig like tenor solo which then becomes a duet when the soprano enthiusiastically joins in the fun. Alto and bari players give support with roudy claps and whoops! (optional!). Once again, the theme returns before subduing to a melancholy baritone solo, gently accompanied by tenor, then alto and sop too, before cranking up the pace once again with the return of the initial melody, plus the new melody intertwined. A final key change adds to the drama before an exciting ending leaves us on a high.

 All players get their chance to shine in this quartet and all have a main solo line at some point.

click here;  http://www.myspace.com/keridegg   to hear this piece

Songs for Claire (Available for Soprano/Tenor sax and Piano and Alto/Bari sax and piano, 2008)

Written in 2008, 'Songs for Claire' paints a picture of an emotional life journey. Consisting  of three movements; Living Life, troubled times, and flying free. the piece last for around 8 minutes duration, and is suitable for players of around grade 6+. It begins with a very dreamy and pure piano introduction and aims to portray the joy and beauty of life. The saxophone is allowed to sing out expressively accompanied by the gently lapping piano accompaniment. The movement however ends on a more negative mood, with the clear unwanted ticking of time from the piano leading mercilessly into the troubled times to come. Have you ever got on a ride and wished you could get off? Movement two shows the anguish and at moments, despair, of major obstacles ahead. The saxophones lyrical expression can be used to its fullest and can really cry out in this section. Timbral trills are used to create the idea of two voices; one positive, and one negative, to portray the constant battle to make it through and not give up. Movement three is once again pure and calm, and uses a reversed theme of the initial idea in movement one. Flying free has an almost continuous rocking motion from the piano accompaniment and ends with a short echoed phrase passed between the saxophone and the piano, where everything floats away in peace.....