About the Project

Each composition is idea-driven, with development that may follow traditional formal logic, improvisatory gestures, or through-composed processes.

While many works employ recognisable formal strategies, others aim for spontaneity or textural exploration.

The pieces are composed in the order they were written and are presented chronologically in the volumes—though users are encouraged to approach them selectively, rather than sequentially.

Rather than functioning as an etude series or thematic anthology, Once Around the Sun serves as a dynamic musical journal—a reflection of daily compositional practice and aesthetic exploration.

One of the defining features of the collection is its remarkable stylistic diversity. The works span a wide musical spectrum, drawing on contemporary classical techniques such as neo-Romanticism, modernism, and postmodernism, alongside traditionally styled guitar repertoire.

Many pieces are informed by historical and cultural idioms. The collection also embraces Spanish and Latin American genres, flamenco and tango inflections, and elements of jazz, blues, and fusion.

Some pieces are atmospheric or meditative or suited to reverberant spaces, while others take the form of textural miniatures, character works, or encores. Technical studies are interwoven throughout, addressing varied pedagogical aims, and many works reflect the composer’s distinctive “Guitar Chant” style.

This stylistic breadth allows players and educators to engage with the collection from multiple angles—whether technical, expressive, aesthetic, or conceptual.

For the performing guitarist, Once Around the Sun offers a repertoire of exceptional breadth and adaptability. Whether for formal concerts, intimate recitals, encores, or informal performances, the collection provides music that can meet the demands of virtually any setting.

Many of the works are thematically or stylistically distinctive, making them well-suited to curated programmes or mixed-genre sets. Performers are also encouraged to assemble custom groupings or suites from the collection—selecting, for example, a series of Latin-inspired miniatures, a set of jazz ballads, or pieces exploring modal colour and texture.

The varying duration and intensity of the works further expands their usability, allowing performers to tailor their choices to both audience and context. Above all, Once Around the Sun serves as a living source of contemporary repertoire that honours the classical guitar tradition while simultaneously pushing the idiom forward with originality and vision.

The collection holds particular value for both music educators and students, presenting a rich and diverse repertoire that spans a broad spectrum of technical and musical challenges.

Designed to accommodate a wide range of skill levels, the works are especially suitable for intermediate through to advanced players, offering ample material for study, exploration, and performance.

Through its wide stylistic breadth, the collection introduces students to an array of compositional voices and idioms—from traditional to contemporary, from lyrical to experimental—encouraging a deeper understanding of the classical guitar's expressive capacity.

Its structure is intentionally non-linear, allowing teachers the freedom to select works that best suit the unique developmental needs and interests of each student, rather than adhering to a fixed progression.

In addition to technical development, the pieces encourage artistic interpretation and offer fertile ground for improvisational thinking and compositional analysis. This makes the collection not only a practical teaching tool but also a creative resource that can inspire deeper engagement with music as an evolving language.

Once Around the Sun is available for institutional licensing. Conservatories, universities, and music academies may acquire 3- to 5-year licences allowing unlimited internal use by students and faculty. This makes the collection a viable resource for curriculum development, juried performances, studio instruction, and research into contemporary guitar composition.

Users are encouraged to browse the collection informally rather than attempt a chronological or volume-by-volume reading. The pieces reflect the order in which they were composed and are not sequenced according to thematic or pedagogical design. A casual, selective approach will better highlight the diversity and uniqueness of the repertoire.