Piano
I can play several instruments, but the piano is the most proficient instrument and my first love. I am a classically-trained pianist with a Grade 10 Piano Certificate from the Royal Conversatory of Music (Toronto, Canada). I also completed the Grade 3 and 4 Keyboard Harmony courses.
I can play "by ear", from chord charts, lead sheets, and written manuscripts, and I'm comfortable with a wide range of styles.
My regular piano responsibilities continue as a long-time accompanist for The Salvation Army Guelph Citadel church services and choir. I also have experience accompanying others for recordings, special occasions, auditions, juries, and festivals.
Piano Solo: When I Survey
Virtual church piano selection, Easter 2020.
This video of the hymn tune "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" was the first of many virtual church contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2022. It was arranged, rehearsed, recorded, and edited by me in the same little room - as are many of the items featured in this portfolio.
My improvisational arrangement was performed on a Korg SV-88 and recorded and edited with REAPER. The video was created with Camtasia 2019.
Piano Album: Winter Storm Project
Solo Piano Christmas Album, 2018.
The Winter Storm Project of 2018 was a self-produced Christmas present for a group of my friends. I asked for their favourite carols and played improvisations with little to no editing. The styles were quite varied and this playlist shows that diversity.
Some of these tracks were used by The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda on their annual Christmas compilation recording in 2019 ("What Child is This?" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing") and 2020 ("Rise Up Shepherd" and "We Three Kings").
My arrangements were performed on a Korg SV-88 and recorded and edited with REAPER.
Piano Album: This Is My Story
Solo Piano Album, 2002.
This Is My Story was originally released in audio CD format as a fundraiser for the Guelph Citadel Salvation Army building project. Released on Nov. 7, 2002, this album features my original arrangements of a number of hymns and songs and was made possible in large part by the late Ted (Ed) Marshall of Marshall Arts Productions.
This project was the first of many opportunities to work closely with my friend. Ted recorded, edited, and mastered the project. He gave me my first real look into the world of sound engineering.
The editing process was eye-opening. While most of these tracks were edited (a couple heavily *cough*), one or two were complete takes. I just wish I remembered which ones!!
The album was recorded in the beautiful Humbercrest United Church sanctuary (Toronto, Canada) on their lovely grand piano in the summer of 2002. The album artwork was designed by Ted's son, Len Marshall, of Quiet City Design.
Voice
While I have no formal voice training, I am constantly surrounded by talented people who mentor, teach, and encourage. I also absorb everything I can from different adjudicators and leaders. My first vocal solo was a top secret novelty item I wrote for my sister's wedding reception. That moment lit something in me, laying the foundation for my love of solo performance.
The Marked By Love vocal trio is featured throughout this portfolio. From 2016 to 2022 I sang alto in a wonderful Salvation Army SATB choir called The Canadian Staff Songsters. I have also both sung in and lead a number of choral groups and had the privilege to sing with choirs in two of Toronto's premiere concert halls, Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall.
Vocal Solo: Consercration Hymn
Virtual church selection, Summer 2021.
This video is an example of my virtual church service contributions, the hymn "Take My Life and Let It Be" to the melody of Consecration Hymn. Contributions like this required me to arrange, perform, record, and edit the requested congregational songs.
These selections can be found in context on the The Salvation Army Guelph Citadel YouTube channel, particularly during services throughout 2020 and 2021.
This arrangement was performed on a Korg SV-88 and a Neumann TL-103 microphone and recorded and edited with REAPER. The video was created using Camtasia 2019.
Vocal Solo: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Virtual church selection, Christmas 2020.
A special Christmas Eve service contribution, this arrangment of mine features the first verse of the familiar carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "makes a meal of it", as a favourite choral leader of mine is known to say.
It was performed on a Korg SV-88 and a Neumann TL-103 microphone and recorded and edited with REAPER. The video was created using Camtasia 2019.
Vocal Trio: Marked By Love
Selections from the Marked By Love albums.
In the mid-2000s, I started writing and then performing some female vocal trio arrangements with two friends from church. This snowballed into having a regular backing band... naming the group... recording an album... singing across Southern Ontario... and recording another album. Our musical ministry together spanned over a decade.
The albums primarily feature my own compositions and arrangments. Both Marked By Love albums (Things Thought Impossible, 2007 and A Light in the Dark, 2011) were recorded, editing, and mastered by Ted (Ed) Marshall of Marshall Arts Productions, using various multi-track techniques, allowing me to exercise my production and performance muscles in many different ways.
Both albums were recorded at The Salvation Army Guelph Citadel. Learn more about the group's history and music at on the Marked By Love website.
Instrumental
I have been playing brass (first the cornet, then trumpet, French horn, flugelhorn, etc.) since I was around seven years old. (That's nearly as long as the piano!) Practical instruction was primarily through Salvation Army programs at church, music schools/camps, and bands, and complemented by public school music classes and ensembles. As a result, I have been immersed in ensemble playing for most of my life.
I also have picked up other instruments through various opportunities over the years. While my favourite beyond piano and brass is likely percussion, my next most competent instrument is the acoustic guitar.
Cornet Solo: In the Bleak Midwinter
Live Performance, Cornet Solo, 2014.
On December 6, 2014, I had the opportunity to present a Christmas-themed cornet solo at an annual community carol sing held at St. George's Anglican Church (Guelph, Canada) with the support of the Guelph Citadel Band of The Salvation Army led by a previous bandmaster, Allan Hicks.
The brass band arrangement of In the Bleak Midwinter was masterfully arranged by Trevor Worthington. This moment was recorded by friends in the front row without my knowing. It captures a rare occasaion where I forget to be nervous. All I remember was the beautiful sound of the church sanctuary.
Trumpet Feature: Things Thought Impossible
Trumpet Feature on album track.
The joy of multi-track recording for a multi-instrumentalist like me is the chance to perform multiple parts at the same time. From the title track of the Marked By Love album Things Thought Impossible, this last section layers on a trumpet feature that I also had the opportunity to record.
To hear the complete track, check out the Voice or Composition sections.
Guitar Accompaniment: All My Work
Guitar Accompaniment on second Marked By Love album.
In this re-imagining of the hymn, All My Work is for the Master, I created and performed a gentle guitar accompaniment, with light percussive hits on the guitar body. (The additional improvisational guitar work was added by Doug Elvin.) It appears on the album A Light In the Dark.
A fun fact - the history of the guitar-accompanied Marked By Love trios is rooted in how I used to find it easier to accompany us live on a guitar than on the piano. This was also especially helpful when singing without our band at our church's Christmas Eve services.
Guitar Accompaniment: What Child is This?
Guitar Accompaniment on first Marked By Love album.
This track is the first ever guitar-accompanied Marked By Love arrangement. I created and performed a jazzy, fingerpicked setting of one of my favourite carols, What Child Is This?, which appears on the Things Thought Impossible album.
It's still one of my favourites to play when noodling around with a guitar.
Composition & Arrangements
Almost all of the Marked By Love vocal trios are original songs and arrangements written by me. I have also written a number of other compositions, including SATB choral arrangements, brass band pieces, worship songs, and piano arrangements. I often joke that the song that will outlive them all is my silly little campfire song "The Potato Song". Learn more about it in the Media section.
Here is a collection of some of my favourite compositions and arrangements from the Marked By Love albums.
Shepherds Watch
Original Song & Arrangement
Shepherds Watch (from A Light in the Dark)
This is a high-energy rendition of the traditional Christmas carol, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.
It features an original melody, an homage to the original melody, and some cameo appearances by Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Punched up by a brass section, this is a fun song to listen to and perform.
Jesus Loves Me
Original Song & Arrangement
Jesus Loves Me (from A Light in the Dark)
This is a funky setting of the familiar words of Jesus Loves Me. It features a brass section, a punchy new tune, and some a textural surprises near the end.
Things Thought Impossible
Original Song & Arrangement
Things Thought Impossible (from Things Thought Impossible)
This all-original song is the title track from the album. It was one of the first "more involved" arrangements for the group and has remained a favourite of many.
It includes a jazz organ layer throughout, a trumpet feature, and the beloved handclaps at the end. Also, when performed live, it can include a full SATB choir part.
The Resurrection Day Song
Original Song & Arrangement
The Resurrection Day Song (from A Light in the Dark)
This all-original song inspired the title of the album. It was originally written for an Easter time Impact Brass anniversary concert, where Marked By Love was the special musical guest.
"The Resurrection Day Song" is among the more complex Marked By Love arrangements. It features the standard band, plus a required acoustic guitar part (played by me) and decorative electric guitar. Also, when performed live, it can include a full SATB choir part.