RAY CLARKE,
composer and orchestrator
RAY CLARKE:
...........I arrived in Dumfries and Galloway in the 70s to take up the post of violin teacher with the local Education Authority.
Over the years I have nurtured a consuming interest in composition, particularly in the field of folk songs, and many of my works have been premiered here.
' The Wigtown Martyrs ' is an original work to commemorate the covenanters persecuted in the late 17th century for their religious beliefs. This work was premiered by the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland in 1992. The many graves and monuments in our area provided the inspiration to write the music.
I direct and conduct a string orchestra for whom I write all arrangements. The levels of difficulty vary sufficiently to encompass schools' orchestras to collegiate ensembles.In addition I have also arranged music suitable more for professional performers.
Since living in Scotland I have become interested in the songs of Robert Burns, the National Bard. In 1996 to commemorate the bicentennial of his death, I was commissioned to write the music for a celebratory concert for Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
I have a wide variety of musical influences including Ravel, Stravinsky, Vaughn Williams, Dave Grusin, Jerry Goldsmith, and Ennio Morricone [the last 3 of course being film composers].
Many of my string arrangements have been published by Phoenix Music.
Below - a list of productions.
Ray Clarke
31 Fleet St.
Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG72JT
01557 814420, b. 3-10-50.
REPRESENTATION - Faith Elliott, PORTLAND WALLIS DIRECT
Occupation: Violin teacher with Education Dept. Dumfries and Galloway
1992
The Wigtown Martyrs' - premiered by the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland
1995
'Legend' - premiered by the Galloway Orchestra
1995
'A Northumbrian Air' [Dance to your Daddy] - performed by N.Y.S.O.S.
1996
'Robert Burns - a bicentennial celebration' - commissioned to arrange songs for symph. orch. + choir. Concerts performed by the Galloway orchestra + the Nicola Lindsay Singers
1996
Corn Rigs' '- Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra
1997
Folk arrangements - lecture workshop by James Hunter of the Scottish Music Assoc. demonstrating the use of symph. orch. for the setting of simple folk tunes.
1997
'Robert Burns a selection from above concert- The Kennet Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mary Green - concert Pensylvania 'The Pipes are calling'
1998
'A Folk Song Trilogy' - Ayrshire Symphony orchestra
'A Northumbrian Air' 'Scarboro' Fair' 'Dashing away with the smoothing iron'
A Scottish Folk Trilogy - N.Y.S.O.S.
'
The Uist Tramping Song' 'A Tiree Love Song' 'The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie' 'Morag's Cradle' - for clairsach, violin, sop. + mezz. sop.commissioned by Kirkcudbright Arts Festival
1999
'Folk Song Trilogy' - St. James Orchestra Glasgow
2000
12 Folk song arrangements for strings - published by Phoenix Music.
'A Scottish Folk Trilogy' - Lochshiel Festival conductor Norman Murray
2001
'The Windmills of Your Mind', 'I Will Wait For You' [Michel Legrand]
'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' [Burt Bacharach]
String arrangements published by Phoenix Music.
2002
'Chi Mai', 'Once upon a Time in the West' [Ennio Morricone]
String arrangements published by Phoenix Music.
also Once upon a time in America [Morricone] Strings
Dance to your Daddy / Dashing away with the smoothing iron [Full orchestra]
When Johnny comes marching home again, Hallelujah [fusion of the 2 civil war songs [glory glory hallelujah] for strings . Orchestral version in process]
When we awake /Xmas carol original words + music for piano + SATB solo sop. part
What shall we do with a drunken sailor for strings [orchestral version in process]
The Wigtown Martyrs for strings + for full orchestra
