Jay Mackie writes: 'I wanted to write a little suite of short, but fun pieces loosely based on my first set of flute quartets, Jazz Suite from 1991 (published by Spartan Press) - but with a seasonal flavour. I didn't want to arrange existing Christmas tunes, but to come up with some original pieces which sounded Christmassy! The suite was written for the flute ensemble Flute Salad, based in Yateley, Hampshire whose members and director Louise Williams have done a wonderful job supporting my flute music.

Even though the pieces are written for four flutes, they could be played by four violins or a mixture of non-transposing instruments using the same ranges eg, a mix of maybe flutes, oboes, violins. Above all, I hope you enjoy the luscious harmonies and have a lot of fun at your Christmas concert playing them.'

Happy Christmas Wishes!

Born in Cardiff in 1975 and trained in piano and flute at school, Jay Mackie studied composition as an undergraduate at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from 1997-2000 and completed an MMus gaining a distinction in Composition in 2004.

At college Jayson received three scholarship prizes for composing where his Wind Quintet was a featured work at the ISCMs World Music Days Inter-Collegiate Composer Showcase in 1998. In 2000 he received a joint commission from the Welsh Arts Council and National Lottery to write the music for a children's theatre piece : The Big Stink, a cautionary tale demonstrating to children the importance of recycling and looking after our planet.

Currently Jayson is a founder member of a newly formed group: Cardiff New Music Collective, comprising graduate composers from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and their own musicians who perform newly-composed chamber music at venues throughout South Wales.
As well as being an active composer, Jayson is also a learning support and music assistant in a primary school and private music tutor.