This work was written in the winter months of 2006 for Peter Smith to whom it is dedicated. It is in three short movements which are thematically related. The work received its first performance in June 2006 by Peter Smith and Jennifer Miles. The performance led to a commission from Professor James Watson on behalf of the Brass Faculty of the Royal Academy of Music for a further four sonatas for brass and piano (for Bass Trombone Tenor Trombone Horn and Trumpet/Flugelhorn) and a concluding Sinfonia Concertante for five solo brass brass ensemble and percussion; which form a series.

A Short Sonata is a work written at around Grade 8 standard for Euphonium and Piano. In each of the work's three movements different qualities of the instrument are utilised and explored.In the first movement an Allegro in 6/8 time these qualities are the instrument's general agility and its ability to play fast-moveing melodies in a way that drives the music forward. Throughout different ways of phrasing similar material are used to create interest and a varied sound.In the second slow movement the resonant and majestic way in which the euphonium can deliver lyrical melodic lines is explored. The movement usmade up of four long phrases which peak dynamically at the third giving room for interpretation and feeling. The third movement exploits the instrument's ability to play loudly and aggressively using lots of accented notes hairpin crescendos and quick double-tounging. A Short Sonata was the winner of the first Stainer & Bell Award for Brass Composition held at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff May 2010.