The Skemptons are a ska band with their collective tongue so far in their cheek that it is imminent danger of rupturing the flappy facial membrane it inhabits. Comprised almost entirely of composers (Harvey "Flaming Lips" Hall and Lucille Price being the exceptions to the rule), this should be ska with smarts, but in fact swiftly descends into jollity and madness.

The Skemptons

This piece is written for two ukulele players and explores harmonic language that would not usually be attributed to music that makes the instrument a popular instrument.
Another feature of the piece is that many decisions are decided by the musicians during the performance. Each performance of the piece will differ from all of the others but the structure of the piece allows certain sections to be heard in each performance.

Tete a Tete (for ukulele duet)

The Venkman Tie in is a piece inspired by the notation style of Louis Andriessen's "Workers Union" (1975). Although the rhythms are notated the  pitches are decided upon by the musicians live during the performance.  

The title was inspired by a section in the piece which has a vague resemblance to one of the motifs used in the theme music for the 1980's Film "Ghost Busters". 

The Venkman Tie In

Ol' Days is a rewrite of an older song I wrote a couple of years ago. It is based on marching festival music from America. When performed live it features a marching drum solo.  

Ol' Days

The lyrics to 'Me and My imaginary Girlfriend' are set around the protagonist and the lies he has told to his friends about a mysterious partner that no-one has ever met... even our protagonist... 

Me and My Imaginary Girlfriend

Inspired by the music from 70's cop shows like 'Starsky and Hutch', Boxes and Fruit Carts takes elements from such themes. It's an upbeat tribute to some of the most iconic TV music ever written.     

Boxes And Fruit Carts

This piece was written for Birmingham Conservatoire Piano Day 2014. The piece features 15 pianos (12 uprights and 3 grands) and there are around 50 performers spanning a range of ages and ability levels. The performers are given a diagram instructing them how to play according to patterns projected on the wall behind them.  

Shades Of Sound

Song by me and Lyrics by Sam (funkwuweh) James.

Probably one of our most "Ska-eee" songs of the set whilst also being in a major key and happy (await further recordings...). The lyrics tell of a confusing set of circumstances where two friends meet and discuss the possible outcomes of a romantic union. 

As long as we're friends in the end

Colour of the Winds

"I want to go home, to the place where I was born. Away from concrete jungle, all the smut and the porn"  

Come Away

The Moon

Flailing Frames

This piece is written as part of my first year composition portfolio. The lyrics of the piece were taken from a news bulletin from an Irish broadcasting organisation describing the riots that took place on the Cromlin Road during the 2010 Orange Day Parade.     

Streets Ran with Orange

The live recording of my composition for my portfolio.  

Drum Kit Inspired Strings

This piece was written to accompany a projection on to a large building. The main feature of the piece is the phase. Made of three parts in varying lengths, the phase creates a sensation of continual change. If i was to allow the phase to run through its full cycle the recording would last for around an hour. Although the phase was important the secondary feature of the piece is the aspect of blending. Restricted to sounds from logic pro 9, I concentrated on blending sounds that, in isolation, sound cheap and nasty to create something a little more subtle. 

Kaleidoscophase

Reuben Penny


Let me know your feedback whether good or bad. Constructive criticism is always good for bettering one's music.

Yours 
Reuben Penny

Reuben Barnaby Penny

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