COMPOSER OF THE MONTH (December 2025)
Jeffrey McFadden
Dr. Jeffrey McFadden (1963-) composes music for guitarists at every level, from beginners to professionals. He also writes guitar arrangements of music written for other instruments, and edits collections of guitar music written by other composers. His own method book for learning how to play the guitar is considered one of the best.
A well known performer, he has recorded 10 albums and performs in North and South America and Europe. He is the Chair of Guitar Studies at the Univ. of Toronto, the Chief Guitar Examiner for RCM, and was recognized by the RCM as the 2018 Teacher of Distinction.
Notes from the Composer
Influences
There are many kinds of music that I love and that nudge their way into my own compositions including famous classical composers and styles like J.S. Bach, Franz Schubert and minimalist music, but also 1970’s progressive rock music and Brazilian popular music.
Advice for students
Start with easy forms and small scale pieces (around 30 seconds to 1 minute) and build from there; Use the sounds that you love; start by writing for your voice or an instrument that you already play.
Fun Fact
My piece “Fantasy on a Canadian Folksong” was inspired by a National Film Board cartoon.
Earn the Yellow Bracelet
Listen to a guitar arrangement by Jeffrey McFadden and compare it to the original. Choose your favorite and submit the form.
Fur Elise, Beethoven ~ for piano
Good King Wenceslas, Xmas Carol ~ for choir
Cello Suite No. 4: I. Prelude, J.S. Bach ~ for cello
Valses poetico: Melodico, Granados ~ for piano
Composer's Toolkit
A composer writes new music, like an author writes a story.
An arranger makes changes to a piece of music: instruments, style, mood – they put their stamp on it.
Listening Assignment
Midnight in Sevilla ~ RCM Level 1
Lemon Ice ~ RCM Level 1
Volatility ~RCM Level 3
Fantasy on a Canadian Folk Song ~ Watch the cartoon that inspired it!
Aguardiente ~ for violin and guitar
