Ruth McCall

Composer and Musician

What is your musical background?

I completed an Honours degree in singing at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide, and from there I joined the Song Company, where I sang soprano with them for 14 years. I was privileged to be involved in many different types of programs and styles of music, and to meet singers and children and audiences all around the world. I learn the piano when I was young, so that has helped me with my music-making, teaching and accompanying.
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What is your advice to singers performing your works?

Pay attention to detail; especially dynamics and tempo, and if your choir needs to adapt the score and make some changes, then go for it!

ruth@singscore.com.au

ruth.mccall@hotmail.com

musicnow.net.au

What are your favourite pieces you’ve composed?

My most popular piece is a reworking of Waltzing Matilda, but I am pleased with my versions of Agnus Dei and Sanctus. A long-term project of mine is to finish writing a Latin Mass for choirs, soloists and orchestra. A bunch of musicians and choirs got together to make a protest video of the Skye Boat song, and I am proud about that for a different reason.

Find songs by Ruth:

Away in a Manger (SSATBarB)

Agnus Dei (SSATBarB with optional piano)

Dome (SSAA with piano)

Herb Soup (two-part treble with piano and shaker)

Waltzing Matilda (SSAA)

Waltzing Matilda (SSATBarB)

Waltzing Matilda (TTBarB)

Waltzing Matilda (SATB)

I’m a Spy (two-part treble with piano, and piano backing track)

Bound for South Australia (SSATBarB)

Cockles and Mussels (SSA with piano)

Cockels and Mussels (SSATBarB with oboe and piano)

Snow Haiku (2-part treble with piano, and piano backing track)

Epitaph (SSAATTBB)

Inner City Nocturne (SSAATTBB)

Inheritance (SSAATTBB)

Christmas Time (Unison or 2-part treble with piano and percussion)

All the whales will sing (SA with piano)

Gravity (unison with piano)

To a Grateful World (SA with piano)

To a Grateful World (2-parts with piano and solo instrument)

The Duck (SSATBarB)

Summer Christmas (unison with piano, and piano backing track)

Sacred Lotus (SA choir with piano)

Sea Song (two-part treble with piano, and piano backing track)

Click go the Shears (SATB with piano)

Click go the Shears (TTBarB)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (SA with piano, and piano backing track)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (SSATBarB)

Happy Panda (unison with piano, and piano backing track)

We Wish you a Merry Christmas (SSATBarB)

Silent Night Smooth Funk (SATB)

The Cuckoo (SSATBarB with alto recorder)

Sanctus (SSATBarB with piano)

Skye Boat Song Lament (SSATBarB with piano)

The Darkest Midnight (SSATBarB)

Love is Born (SSATBarB)

Jingle Bells (2-part treble with piano)

Christmas Time (two-parts with piano)

Hear the Songs (unison with piano)

Kyrie (SSATBarB with organ and violin)

A Christmas Lullaby (SSABar with piano)

The Duck Video

Waltzing Matilda Video

Skye Boat Song Video

Testimonial

Ruth McCall is a composer who applies to her compositions the most refined sensibilities of her extensive experience as an outstanding performer. Her works are clever, filled with humour, and her innate musicality always shines through. This repertoire is eminently performable and deserves wide exposure!

John Davis, the Australian Music Centre