Two choral works to be published

November 13, 2016 Toby Huelin

I am delighted that two choral pieces I wrote last year are to be published in January 2017 by Tim Knight Music as part of the Accessible Choral Library, and distributed internationally by Spartan Press.

The two works are: a setting of the 'Ave Maria' for unison voices and piano (with optional descant) and an SAB arrangement of the Welsh folk song 'All through the night'. Both were written to be easy to learn and enjoyable to sing.

The Accessible Choral Library was designed to provide music for the smaller choir and currently numbers thirty pieces by a range of composers.

Check back for more details soon!

The Road To Bethlehem

December 15, 2014 Toby Huelin

A couple of months ago I decided to set up a new, mixed vocal ensemble in Jersey, particularly targeting younger voices (roughly 18-25 years old). I wanted to find a mix of current students, those on gap years/employment in Jersey, and those returning to the island after university. Although Jersey has a wealth of very strong choirs, there was no group singing contemporary repertoire for mixed voices.

Contempo performing in their first concert, at 16 New Street (a beautiful Georgian House owned by the National Trust for Jersey)

Having this ensemble, Contempo, also gave me a great opportunity to write new music for choir. The first piece I wrote for them was a simple Christmas carol, The Road To Bethlehem, and I hope to write a number of other pieces for Contempo over the coming year. Here's a excerpt from the first performance of The Road To Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas!

Toby writes Victoria College Founders' Day Anthem

October 5, 2014 Toby Huelin

I was commissioned earlier in the year by my old school, Victoria College, Jersey, to write a new Founders' Day Anthem. The anthem is the first new piece of music to be written for the school since 1911, and was performed as part of the Founders' Day Celebrations on 28th September 2014 by the massed choirs of the students and staff, which I conducted. The piece will now be performed annually on Founders' Day.

I wrote the following note in the score:

I look back on the seven years I spent as a student at Victoria College with such fond memories, and I wanted to write a piece that could evoke feelings of my time at school, whilst also recognising the incredibly special history of the college. I conceived it as a kind of response to the College Carmen, a source of such great pride to all Old Victorians. Although it does not quote it directly, the Carmen is referenced in subtle ways throughout.

UPDATE: Here's a clip from the premiere performance in September 2014. I look forward to returning to Victoria College to hear the piece sung in future years by different groups of students!

Toby appointed as Composer-in-Residence at Jersey College for Girls

September 12, 2014 Toby Huelin

Toby is thrilled to be appointed as Composer-in-Residence at Jersey College for Girls. During his residency, he will work with A-Level and GCSE students on their compositions, as well as running composing and songwriting workshops for students and parents, and writing new music for school ensembles, including a piece for massed choirs and orchestra.

Jersey College for Girls has a thriving music department, with inspiring teachers and committed students, and Toby is looking forward to a fruitful period working with the whole JCG family over the coming months.

Click here to read about Toby's appointment on the college website.