Composition lunchtime concert program

TRECNOC PMOC 1pm-2pm 21 October 2020 Ian Hanger Recital Hall Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

A Lunch Time Concert of New Music

The Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University acknowledges the original indigenous custodians of the land that we are gathered on here today, the Turrubul and Jagarra nations. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that this land was never ceded

Program Sophia La Selva Anxious Ascent for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass Inspired by a number of different classical quartet pieces, the Anxious Ascent has been a piece I used to further explore and push the boundaries of what I perceive as rhythmical classical music.This piece is intended to depict an anxious, caffeinated quartet, the rhythms are odd at first, a little chaotic- if you will. However, though first beginning in chaos the piece slowly recovers from this “seemingly random” spur of notes, hence the word “ascent”. In this case, does not mean an ascending sense of anxiety but instead an ascending sense of togetherness within the madness.An ‘ascent’ out of the madness, instead of a descent into it.

Christina Bowden 4 x 5 for Saxophone Quartet It’s always been a goal of mine to learn about and write for as many instruments as I can. 5x4 is different because it wasn’t inspired by my surroundings or stories, rather it was inspired by the instrument itself and a desire to experiment with techniques, melodic ideas, sounds and structure that are unique to the saxophone. This saxophone quartet separated into 5 movements would best be classified as a research piece. This composition stems from the wish to discover more about this incredible instrument, it’s sounds, possibilities, limitations and how to best write for the saxophone.

Zi Hui Chen Midnight Vibing for Oboe and Vibraphone Midnight Vibing began as an exploration on the unusual combination of the oboe and vibraphone. As I composed this piece I ended up taking inspiration from how it feels to be awake at midnight. The mood begins in sleepiness and then transforms into the second wind of being awake, then finally exhausting itself out and lulling into sleep.

Samuel Carrick i want to be apart of things that are constantly happening for Percussion and Flute i want to be apart of things that are constantly happening is a free form improvisations, exploring sound possibilities and basic forms in a humble, collaborative way. The first movement, stations, finds the flute traversing a set of 5 melodic fragments called “stations”, sometimes without control. The vibraphone is doing what it likes. The second movement finds electricity in the air, the flute a nocturnal animal trying not to get struck by going with the flow.

Tidsguiden Thoughts on Voids for Minstrel Banjo The past year has been difficult for me (the rest of the world, also). Mostly through covid, I’ve found myself with a lot of time to think about my place in this world, and with my degree hurtling into its final year, these thoughts have become more and more important. Thoughts on voids is a meditation on these thoughts of uncertainty.

The score, though it contains notated aspects, is meant more as a guide, with sections of improvisation and open interpretation allowing the performer to express, through musical means, their own thoughts on uncertainty as the piece evolves.

David Normoyle Etude for the Left Hand for Piano Étude for Left Hand is one of my earliest compositions, written in 2017 as part of my application to the Conservatorium. I limited the piece to only one hand in an attempt to distinguish it from the other entries that year. Now that my time at the Con is coming to an end, it seemed appropriate that I should take the chance, before I leave, to perform the piece that got me here in the first place.

Ray Lin Grace of the New Sunrise for Violin and Piano This piece was inspired by a glorious sunrise that I was fortunate to witness during a winter morning in the beginning of the lockdown. Despite the roaring wind and the freezing temperature, the run raised just liked it would on every single morning. This scene was particularly powerful as we are currently experiencing a difficult time due to the pandemic, but after all, the sun will rise and we will be again in a state of peace and grace.

Alex Lamont Cockblocked by Corona! for Guitar, Voice, Bass Guitar and Drum Kit "Cockblocked by Corona!" is a song about, you guessed it, being cockblocked by corona! Earlier this year I found myself in the tricky predicament of being newly in love and wanting to spend every waking second with a very special person, but being barred from doing that by a cheeky little global pandemic. How rude! I wrote this absolute banger in the early weeks of isolation, then produced a studio version of it with Hudson Beck and released it as a single last month! Today's performance is the debut performance of the song with a full band arrangement, so please feel free to absolutely GET DOWN in your socially distanced seating arrangements.

Special thanks to Kai Mohrholz for live-streaming and recording the concert, as well as to Gerardo Dirie and Clare Wharton for their assistance in organisation