Welcome to my part of the pond!
"Why 'Toad'?" I hear you ask.
Well, as my wife is known online as a 'Cosy Frog', it seems only natural! 馃惛
I do music and tunes and stuff - composition, songwriting, recording, teaching, etc., so I'm often quite busy, but I keep my head above water where possible.
Honestly, I'm not that good at the social media thing, so updates will happen when I get around to them. Keep an eye on these links for those rare postings!
Examples of my work
J. S. Bach, Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906
My recording of the haunting and sinister Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Sa毛ns.
Details
Written in 1874, this example of Programme Music (telling a story or setting a scene) follows the figure of Death as he hears the bell toll midnight, tunes his violin, then calls forth the dead from their graves to dance with him until the cockerel crows at dawn, when the dead return to their graves.Soundtrack to the opening credits sequence of the 2013 North Bank Entertainment movie 'The Amityville Asylum'
Z. Fibich, unnamed mood picture, number 139 in D flat (later revised to 'Po猫me')
'Rainbows and Stars'
Written after a string of bereavements, I found comfort in the notion that those we love are never really gone. Sung beautifully by my old friend Anna.Click here to expand the lyrics
Will you remember me when my time is gone?
Will you please think of me in the breaking of each golden dawn?
You'll no longer see me but I'll be beside you, and when you're lost I'll guide you.
You'll find me in rainbows, you'll find me in stars,
I'll stand beside you wherever you are.
I'll always give you a light in the dark; remember I'm with you wherever you are.
As crimson sunsets warm the sky,
Then fade to midnight blue,
And shining starlight guides your way, I'll remember you.
You'll find me in rainbows, you'll find me in stars,
I'll stand beside you wherever you are.
I'll always give you a light in the dark; remember I'm with you wherever you are.
When the rolling autumn leaves give way to frost and snow,
And all the colours in your dreams start to fade to grey,
I'll paint a rainbow in the sky for you to warm your coldest day.
You'll find me in rainbows, you'll find me in stars,
I'll stand beside you wherever you are.
I'll always give you a light in the dark;
Remember I'm with you, I promise I'm near you,
I'm with you wherever you are.
J. S. Bach Toccata in E Minor, BWV 914
'Per Aspera'
This one was commissioned by a young soprano, Katie, many years ago.Click here to expand the lyrics
You set out on this path not knowing where it leads,
Step forward for the lesson, stand tall, be strong, believe!
Be firm when people doubt you, let the light in your eyes gleam,
Nothing is beyond you, so reach out for your dream.
Walk the path, make the climb,
Per aspera ad astra, tempus tuum.
Corde enim tota die salutat.
See the sky, part the clouds, see the way.
Sometimes we fall, we fail, and the darkness closes in,
See the moonlight on the water, take courage and begin.
Nothing is beyond us, just have hope and struggle on,
The phantoms in the darkness melt away with the glow of dawn.
Walk the path, make the climb,
Per aspera ad astra, tempus tuum.
Corde enim tota die salutat.
See the sky, part the clouds, see the way.
Show the world that you're ready,
Take each day in your stride,
I'll stand beside you, and through this storm, we'll reach for the stars!
Walk the path, make the climb,
To the heavens through our struggles, take your time.
For every day with all our hearts we journey on.
See the sky, part the clouds, see the way.
'Goodnight'
A lullaby for my little baby, sung by Kayleigh.Click here to expand the lyrics
We've played our games and sung our songs,
And now it's time to climb the stairs.
We'll say goodnight to all the toys,
And say goodnight to Teddy Bear.
So close your eyes and settle down,
You know I'm always there.
I'll watch you now, you go to bed,
You can take your Teddy Bear.
It's time to rest, to close your eyes,
You've had a very busy day.
It's time to sleep, it's time to dream,
Where you can fly away.
And in your dreams, dance in meadows green,
And sing and play with friends,
We'll all be here when the morning comes,
And we can play again.
So close your eyes and settle down,
You know I'm always there.
I'll watch you now, you go to bed,
And take your Teddy Bear.
Goodnight.
Recording, lyrics and music copyright 漏 2011, acquired and renewed by Pen & Groove Ltd 2026
Links to the socials...
YouTube
Aiming to upload videos of piano recordings and such with some regularity. Tap the subscribing button if that's your thing.
For those who prefer pure audio, behold the soundcloud. Some of these are older recording, including work with other artists
Instagram
And for bitesize updates and behind the scenes photos, there's always Instagram