ORCHESTRA
Mirrors in Haida Gwaii
// Symphonic Orchestra //
2.2.2.2. 4.3.3.1. Timp. Perc. Str.
The inspiration for “Mirrors in Haida Gwaii” comes from a trip I took with two of my siblings to the remote island of Haida Gwaii. The entire island is incredible, but the most specific memory I have comes from an early morning kayaking trip across Alliford Bay.
Most days, when you looked beyond the coasts of Haida Gwaii, you were met with a fierce and endless ocean. But, on this particular morning, I was lucky enough to experience the ocean as clear and calm as mirrored glass.
AThabasca
// Symphonic Orchestra //
2.2.2.2. 4.3.3.1. Timp. Perc. Str.
“Athabasca” is inspired by my love for Jasper National Park. Growing up in Alberta, I made countless trips from Edmonton to Jasper, and each time there is something awe-inspiring and magical about driving into the park. The prairies melt into hills, which quickly burst into mountains. Your guide along this incredible journey is the Athabasca
River. It seems to stretch endless as it twists and turns with the forested mountains. In some areas, sprawling and seemingly slow moving, while other areas spring to life with rapids and waterfalls.
Ra'ah
// Symphonic Orchestra //
2.2.2.2. 4.3.3.1. Timp. Perc. Hp. Str.
Ra'ah is a Hebrew word coming from the 23rd Psalm. It means, "to be seen, known, understood." The piece is meant to portray what it means to try and understand oneself and how that journey can start off clearly, but become muddied over time.
Sometimes it takes a journey through the valley of the shadow of death, and out the other side.
Chamber music
Suite for Piano and Cello
This suite is inspired by an intersection of Canadian and Japanese culture. Duo Kogarashi, who commissioned these pieces, is made up of Japanese-Canadian pianist Mayu Funaba and Canadian French cellist Sahara von Hattenberger. The intersection of cultures in this duo influenced my decision to compose three movements that compare and contrast elements of Canadian and Japanese culture, life, and geography.
The first movement is inspired by nature and the tress most associated with each country. The Canadian maple and the Japanese cherry blossom are stunning beautiful in different ways. The second movement contrasts the subway chimes of Toronto to Tokyo. The final movement blends together a Japanese folksong, Tankobushi, with a Newfoundland folk song, Feller by Fortune, to create something new!
Influence
MOV.II - Compassion Amidst Sorrow
// Piano Trio //
Influence is a three-movement work, with each movement dedicated to a group of people who have greatly influenced my life.
The second movement, Compassion Amidst Sorrow, is dedicated to my family. Family is such a unique bond because they are people dedicated to sticking with you through all life situations, the highs and the lows. This movement depicts the feeling of being shown compassion and love in the midst of heartache and sorrow.
Among the break of day
// String Quartet //
This piece is meant to capture the morning light breaking over a winters' day. At first, it is calm and still, until the wind picks up and the light begins to dance with the fallen snow.
CHOIR
ENDLESS
// SATB Choir and Piano //
A modern choir piece with an indie-folk sound. Words and music by Joel Toews.
Grace and Grandeur
// SMABT Choir and Accompaniment //
Dedicated to my grandparents, this piece is an exploration of minimalist techniques for SMATB choir, percussion, piano, and brass quartet.
Text from "The Everlasting Voices" by William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)
Instinct of Hope
// SATB Choir //
A reflective piece of the nature of hope. Words by John Clare; music by Joel Toews.
A capella ensemble arrangements
Joel has arranged a number of pieces for both the MacEwan a Capella ensemble and the Edmonton group Nuf Sed.
Please email if you are interested in purchasing a full arrangement for performance or if you have a song that needs arranging for your group.
"Human"
by Rag'n'Bone Man
"Too Good at Goodbyes"
by Sam Smith
"Believer"
by Imagine Dragons
"Hallelujah"
by Leonard Cohen
"No Tears Left to Cry"
by Arianna Grande
WIND BAND
JAZZ
Big Band
Easy to Love
// Jazz Big Band //
Big band arrangement of the
Cole Porter standard.
Dazeo mambo
// Jazz Big Band //
An original big band piece based on the mambos of Dizzy Gillespie.
Namid nightfall
// Jazz Quartet //
This Latin Tune is named after the oldest desert in the world, the Namid Desert in Southern Africa.
It was inspired by scenes from the BBC series Planet Earth where the desert looks barren and empty during the day, but when night falls the landscape comes alive.