Commissioned in 1994 by the Royal Air Force 'Scramble!' is a concert overture for symphonic wind band inspired by images of the RAF's airfields during the Battle of Britain immortalised for ever in such films as 'Reach for the Sky'. The pastoral opening depicts the lull before the storm: the young pilots sitting in wicker chairs outside their barracks on a sunlit morning. The peace is of course deceptive suddenly amid siren sounds there is a shout of 'Scramble!' and a rush to the waiting planes. In no time at all the squadron is airborne heading for a skirmish over the English Channel and beyond. A lyrical central section featuring a solo cornet depicts the stillness manypilots described as they flew to engage the enemy before the battle breaks out once more. For those who returned it would be only a short while before once again they would hear the familiar shout of 'Scramble!'

These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits to a small part of the American East Coast an area which provides great extremes in the geography and the people.'Shelter Island' is a small island situated almost at the end of Long Island a few hours drive east of New York. In the summer it becomes a crowded tourist trap but in the winter it is gloriously deserted and bravely faces the onslaught of the turbulent Atlantic shrouded in sea mists and driving rain. In upstate New York lie 'The Catskills' Mountains an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power peace and majesty. Once seen they call you back again and again.New York - or to be more precise Manhattan. For anyone who is familiar with this bizarre and wonderful city this ‘picture’ needs no explanation. For those not yet hooked here is a small foretaste of things to come!