Ruth Mulligan: A Trio of Short Pieces for a Trio of Double Basses

About the Compositions

A Trio of Short Pieces is a fun and colourful suite for the intermediate double bass trio. Remaining in bass clef throughout, there are effective musical and technical challenges for each player, and this is ideal for the recital hall, as sight-reading practice or simply to play with friends.

The music is appealing and attractive and the suite would be suitable any audience or occasion.

“These short pieces are written with young basses and a teacher in mind, enabling the student to explore the different moods that they can create. The first, ‘Sing’ is lyrical and song like with a gentle, steady accompaniment. The second, ‘Follow’, is a fun refrain, redolent of competitive ducklings endeavouring to keep up with a parent and vying for attention, and the final piece, ‘Ponder’, reflects the endless, busy curiosity of the young, asking questions and looking for resolution.” [Ruth Mulligan]

About the Composer

Ruth Mulligan is a music teacher, piano accompanist and composer based in Cheltenham, England. She plays the viola, performing regularly with the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra and participates in a local choir. She completed her B.Mus (hons) at the University of Wales, Bangor and her PGCE in secondary music at Oxford Brookes University.

Ruth has composed and arranged Christmas choral music for children and adults and has been directing choirs since she was 17. She has written 2 musical nativity plays which have been performed at the school attended by her 6 children, where she has also directed a choir since 2007.

In 2024, she was the musical director for an Easter passion play which was performed in Cheltenham, for which she wrote 10 songs, directed a children’s choir, a community choir for adults, and a community orchestral ensemble. Ruth is passionate about music education and has developed an initiative which allows children to access free instrumental hire and lessons.