Alex McGery - Composer
my music, my life
Royal Academy of Music a Year On
Jun 7th
So. It looks like the return of Alex McGery to the HTTP system. Yes, I'm back and I bring you news of a productive year. Recently, 2 of my pieces were played in a symphonic concert, which me and composing colleague and friend Xiaoian Shi organised ourselves. Here's the music, and let me tell you - You had better listen, it's for your own good!
So. One year on and I’m still standing. It’s been an interesting year to say the least : Friendship, Talking (a lot!), Lies (A LOT!), Deceit (Even more!), Gossip (on a par with EastEnders), Rivalry (On a par with Alien vs Predator), Threats (On a par with the Godfather) Hilarity (when you’re tricked into telling Chinese girls that you’re a pervert in mandarin by your evil genius of a flatmate you’ll understand!) and of course music (meh..!! Just kidding) In short the Academy is possibly the most interesting and often insane place I have ever had the pleasure (and occasionally the misfortune!) to experience! Of course I came to the academy to study music, and without further ado I present to you my first year portfolio:
It’s time for an update?
Mar 3rd
So what – if anything – has Alex McGery been up to? This is a question you may well ask, as there has been little information to go on. To all my disappointed fans (hello mum and dad!) I can only offer my most sincere of apologies! Fear not however, for the tides are turning; the winds are changing; the seeds are germinating; the bees are starting to make honey once more; the farmer has seen a surplus for the first time in years and as an act of compassion has oiled my gears and plugged me back in! Yes ladies and gentleman! My power has been switched back and I have subsequently put finger to keyboard in order to bring you this fresh, warm, lovely, cuddly-wuddly little-icky-wicky update!
Rome: Total Realism – Best Of
Jan 19th
It’s been 2 years since I wrote about 30 pieces of music for Rome Total Realism, and do you know what? I think I shall share some more of it with you! Here’s a lovingly hand-picked selection of some of ‘the best bits’ from yours truly. (Basically I’ve not included any embarrassingly bad pieces – and there were a few!)
New Song – The Day That Never Comes
Nov 25th
In the far recesses of his bedroom Alex McGery had a dream, a dream to write a song that returned to his rock roots yet stayed faithful to his new found musical pompousity. Subsequently the song became fusion of simple catchy riffs and melodies, with far more daring musical concepts such as ‘pretty good voice leading’, ‘key changes that actually serve a purpose other than to make a boring, senile song sound slightly less boring and senile’, ‘Gflat(sharp11,flat5) chords, hitherto known as ‘The Alex McGery chord’ and ‘3 part harmony that doesn’t contain any parallel fifths!’
The song could best be described as ‘excellent’.
Showreel
Aug 19th
Have put together a short showreel with 30 second excerpts of various tracks. The showreel focuses on electronic work although I couldn’t resist adding a brief demo of my latest acoustic work ‘Lament for Strings’ at the end of the mp3.
Music for Trailer – The Sixth Girl
Jul 30th
Directed by Liam Maccarthy, the Sixth Girl is a thrilling take on the tale of Jack the Ripper. Created for his graduation project at the University of Buckinghamshire.
Rome Total Realism Iberian Conflict, Released
Jun 5th
Take on the fierce tribes of the Iberian Peninsula as you conquer this land for your people – and of course your own coffers! Defend your homeland from the Carthaginian invaders as the Celt-Iberian player.
Rome Total Realism, The Soundtrack
Feb 3rd
During last year, I was kept busy writing 30+ tracks for the highly anticipated game Rome Total Realism (RTR). RTR is a modification of Creative Assembly’s ever popular Rome Total War. The main goal of RTR is to improve upon the realism of the Rome Total War series.
The Awakening Reviewed by PlanetHalf-life.com!
Nov 3rd
Excerpt from the review: “Another major strength that is worth drawing particular attention to is the music. The Half-Life series has never been well known for its musical scores, often down-playing the need for a full orchestral accompaniment in favour of a more atmospheric tone.”
