'Composers Corner' - Interview with Samuel Shelly

I recently had the opportunity to interview a very active composer, Samuel Shelly who I have know for many years. I wanted to catch up with him to find out more about the recent projects that he has been involved in.

1. Over the past number of years you have had an enormous output of new compositions, what inspires you to write?

My friend Andrew Elliott got me into writing some basic stuff and looking at some compositions by great brass band composers. I started to write music when I was about 14 years old and progress from there. My first composition I had played out was a piece called “Standing by a Purpose True” which was played by the Cannock Citadel Salvation Army Band when they went to Leek a couple of years ago. I have always love listening to brass bands and going to concert and contests with my grandad and have always been a big fan of the Black Dyke Band, Cory, and the International Staff Band. I have been working closely with composers such as Dean Jones, Paul Sharman, Kenneth Downie, Peter Graham, Steven Ponsford, and most recently, William Himes.

2. A number of years ago I approached you asking if you would write a Euphonium solo for me. Do you get many requests for new music and what is your starting point for a new work?

I don’t get many requests for new music but I have had a couple throughout the years. I got approached a couple of years ago by someone from the Staple Hill Citadel Band from Bristol to write a piece of music. The only things I got ask to include in that piece was something fast, hard and exciting and the rest was up to me. The piece was premier in October 2014, by the Staple Hill Citadel Band lead by Bandmaster Nathan James and it was the opening piece of the night. I got ask to write a cornet solo by a member of the International Staff Band based on a welsh theme for Nicholas Brill and most recently a baritone solo for Neil Baker on the Laura story song ‘Blessings’. My starting point for my new works to see what style I can do it and also any theme or songs I want that piece/ request on to include in that piece. Being from a Salvation Army background I mainly based my pieces on hymns and worship songs.

3. You recently finished a brand new work written for me entitled 'Euphonious'. Can you tell our readers a little about the process that was undertaken when commissioning and writing what was to become 'Euphonious'.

I wanted to create something new and something that I never done before. The process of this piece was taken quite well and most of the ideas came from the soloist himself. I sat down at my keyboard and thought of medley which I could include and also include one that Micah had chosen himself. Then I put it down on a piece of paper and added some chords and harmony I can include in it. I always start my pieces at the beginning and develop my ideas throughout the piece.

4. What is the story and meaning of 'Euphonious'?

The Story behind Euphonious was something especially for Micah and something that he can keep as a gift from me. This piece is based around the chorus by Stanley Ditmer ‘I’m in his Hands’ and the music by Phil Laeger. This was set around the middle movement and also an triumphant version in the 3rd movement. The first movement is based around a Spanish feel and to have some thriving techniques on the euphonium and other things as well. Meaning by Euphonious is to have an excitement feel and also to remember that you are in God hands and watching over you.

The Words of the chorus says this:

I'm in his hands,

I'm in his hands;

Whate'er the future holds,

I'm in his hands,

The days I cannot see.

Have all been planned for me;

His way is best, you see;

I'm in his hands

5. As a composer you are always working on new ideas and commissions. Can you tell me a little about what you are working on and what plans you have for the future?

I’m currently writing some music for the USA Territorial Staff Band which I got approach a couple of weeks ago. It’s a concert opener which will get the audience engaging and excited for the concert and the worship of praise. My plans for the future is to progress and developed my composing skills and hoping to write some more pieces for bigger bands and maybe contests.

6. You have heard your pieces performed live many times as an audience member, does any one performance stand out for you and why?

One of my popular pieces at the moment is an arrangement of a songster song called “Bow the Knee”. This has recently been published by SP&S in the scripture based songs and people are keep asking for it and saying to me how much they have been moved by it. Just a couple of weeks ago, a band I sometimes play with called Salvation brass, played it at maidenhead and was quite powerful piece and message to the audience. This piece has got to be my stand out piece because loads of choirs and salvation army churches sing it and a lot of people have asked it to be in a brass band arrangement and I was up for the challenge to arrange this beautiful song and this is my popular piece and this piece is still going strong and also the message about bowing the knee to the lord.

7. What do you believe makes a good and successful solo piece?

I believe that a solo piece should show of the composer skills and also the soloist who is playing the piece as well. Using a arrange of composing techniques and playing skills as well. You need to keep looking back at your pieces to check that everything is right and also to develop your skills as well.

Thank you so much Sam for taking the time to be involved with this interview. I look forward to catching up with you in the near future.