Taurus (2017)
(for Solo Piano)

James Wade died unexpectedly at the age of 38 in June 2017. He was nearing the end of his PhD in Composition; I personally oversaw the final drafts of his folio over the Summer of 2016–2017. He was a BMus and MMus graduate from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and thus known to many of us for some time, having entered the Con as a vocal major, moving to the Composition specialisation in 2003.
 
While quietly spoken, James spoke articulately with a rich bass voice that was well-suited to working for radio. He was a regular broadcaster on 3MBS FM and also presented nationally on ABC Classic FM. He took a keen interest in photography, philosophy, all the arts and the environment. He was a regular at composition social events and well–known and liked in the composition community. He is a represented artist at the Australian Music Centre and his music will live on. But we will miss James, the person behind the music.