Composer

Ian is a highly regarded composer and arranger of traditional material. Recent commissions include new choral works for Voices of Hope (BBC Choir of the Year 2016), Land of Oak and Iron Landscape Partnership, 5 arrangements of traditional songs for orchestra and big band for the EFDSS Full English project, an arrangement of ‘Three Ravens’ for Opera North, a brand new Christmas carol for a forthcoming choral songbook, a PRSF funded piece for Kathryn Tickell & The Side, and his choral reimagining of the Tyneside folk song ‘Water of Tyne’. 

In addition to large-scale works he also writes tunes to commemorate special occasions or as gifts for loved ones, through the Magnetic North East ‘Commission a Tune’ scheme.  You can read an in-depth blog showing his creative process here including sound excerpts.

‘Sage Gateshead commissioned Ian as part of the Create Choral project in 2013 and found him efficient, punctual and engaging and he produced a piece of exceptional musical quality.’

Ed Milner, Head of Music Learning, Sage Gateshead

“A Stand-Out Work”
– Matt Beckingham, The Sage Gateshead.

“I would gladly include it in a programme”
-Howard Layfield (former Chairman of the Assoc of British Choral Directors).

“Ian’s arrangement of Water of Tyne has become a favourite of our singers and audiences. He knows how to use voices and creates a beautiful yet modern and intriguing choral sound. I am confident that this arrangement will be widely performed and will become the ‘go to’ choral version of the song”
– Simon Fidler (BBC Choir of the Year 2016 “Voices of Hope”, Streetwise Opera)

How to Commission

For larger works such as new songs for choirs, arrangements for orchestra, bands, folk ensembles, contact Ian directly

Ian can be hired to compose a melody, complete with professional recording, hand-written framed manuscript, as a gift for loved ones, by using the ‘commission a tune’ service on the Magnetic North East Website