Welcome to Michael Stocks Music Sharing Music, Creating Connections

Whether you've found this website searching for string orchestra arrangements, looking for an arranger for your ensemble, or simply because you share a passion for music, welcome.

After more than three decades working as a music educator, performer, conductor, examiner, adjudicator, composer and arranger, I thought it was time to create a place where I could bring all of those parts of my musical life together.

Music has taken me on an incredible journey. I've had the privilege of teaching hundreds of students, performing in a wide variety of settings, conducting orchestras and musicals, examining and adjudicating across Australia and overseas, composing and arranging music, and publishing educational resources used by musicians and teachers alike. Every one of those experiences has reinforced one simple belief: music has an extraordinary ability to connect people.

This website is an extension of that idea.

One of its main purposes is to make my growing catalogue of string quartet and string ensemble arrangements available to schools, community orchestras, chamber ensembles and performers around the world. I will also be offering the opportunity to order custom music arrangements. As both a teacher and conductor, I understand the challenge of finding music that is engaging for audiences while also being rewarding and achievable for students. When I arrange music, my aim is always to respect the character of the original work while writing naturally and idiomatically for strings. Whether it's a contemporary pop hit, a timeless classic or a favourite from film or musical theatre, I want every arrangement to be enjoyable to rehearse and exciting to perform.

Alongside these published arrangements, I also enjoy creating custom arrangements. Every ensemble is different, and sometimes the perfect piece simply doesn't exist - yet. Whether you're looking for a unique concert item, a special wedding performance, an arrangement for your school orchestra, or music tailored specifically to your group's instrumentation and ability, I'd love to help bring your ideas to life.

While arranging music is a significant part of what I do, it certainly isn't the whole story.

Living and working in Tasmania has given me the opportunity to be involved in an incredibly vibrant musical community. Throughout the year I'm fortunate to work with talented students, dedicated teachers, community ensembles, professional musicians and performing arts organisations across the state. Beyond Tasmania, my work regularly takes me throughout Australia as a music examiner and adjudicator, allowing me to experience the remarkable diversity of music education and performance happening in schools and communities across the country - this blog will become a place where I can share some of those experiences.

I'll be writing about arranging, rehearsals, performances, teaching, conducting, examinations, adjudicating, musical direction, and the many fascinating people and ensembles I encounter along the way. From behind-the-scenes insights into creating a new arrangement, to reflections on concerts and festivals, rehearsal ideas for teachers, or simply observations from a lifetime spent making music, I hope these articles will be informative, practical and enjoyable to read.

• If you're a music teacher, I hope you'll discover ideas that inspire your classroom or ensemble rehearsals.

• If you're a conductor, perhaps you'll find repertoire suggestions or rehearsal techniques that prove useful.

• If you're a student or performer, I hope you'll gain encouragement and insight into developing your own musical journey.

  
  

And if you simply love music, I hope you'll enjoy following along as I share the projects, performances and experiences that continue to make this profession so rewarding.

In the months ahead you'll see new arrangements added regularly, hear about performances and musical events I'm involved with, and find articles covering a wide range of topics related to music education and performance. My aim is to make this website more than just an online catalogue - it will be a resource, a source of inspiration, and a place where musicians can connect through a shared love of music.

Thank you for visiting, and thank you for taking the time to read this first post. Whether you're here from Tasmania, elsewhere in Australia, or somewhere on the other side of the world, I hope you'll visit often as the website continues to grow - I'm looking forward to sharing the journey with you.