Travels and Trios

Dzien dobry! I've just returned from my month away in Poland, where I attended the SYNTHETIS International Summer Course for Composers, in Radziejowice (beautiful photos below!). The course was a unique opportunity to meet other emerging composers from around the world, hear their music, and see what drives them to create. I had the chance to attend some fascinating lectures and seminars on new music, and work with a wonderful ensemble in residence from Germany – E-Mex Ensemble – to workshop and experiment with new sounds and techniques.

I managed to fit in some sight-seeing along the way, and finished the month off with a fantastic week in Krakow. Poland is a beautiful country, with a complex and difficult history, which I felt I embraced at every opportunity. Definitely hope to go back some day!

As soon as I arrived back in Melbourne, Plexus Ensemble gave the premiere performance of my new trio, Shattering Blooms for violin, clarinets and piano. It was a cracker of a premiere, considering the piece was incredibly difficult, and perhaps the furthest I've pushed myself before in composing super fast, super disjointed and fractured music. There's a podcast coming on that concert, so stay tuned!

Finally, I've just sent off my score and parts to Syzygy Ensemble for the Glen Johnston Composition Award concert, to be held as part of Macedon Music, in the Macedon Ranges. It's another trio – this one is scored for alto flute, cello and piano. The piece definitely takes some cues from the music and techniques I discovered while I was in Poland. The premiere is in just over a month's time, so I look forward to hearing that piece come to life too!

Following the Blackbird to Abbotsford Convent

My collaborative project with Naomi Johnson (flautist) is about to open in Melbourne, in a week's time! Very exciting stuff, but also very busy. Naomi and I will be spending all of next week getting ready, but I can't wait until we get to show everyone what we've been working on. Find out more about the project on facebook, or book tickets at Forest Collective – our presentation partner. It's going to be wonderful!

Also, I'm currently writing two works: one for Plexus Ensemble, and one for Syzygy Ensemble – both trios. It's good to have the opportunity to write for such amazing groups of musicians – I just need to get the music done now!

Finally, I'm going to Poland! I've been accepted as a participant in the 2016 SYNTHETIS International Summer Course for Composers. This will be a great opportunity to meet other young composers, and further develop my skills. I'll be travelling to Radziejowice in a few weeks time, so it's back to the 'mother land', it seems. More on that soon!

The Blackbird and the Rostrum

Some very exciting news: I'm super stoked to announce that my orchestral work Strange Alchemy has been chosen as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's under-30 entry to the 2016 International Rostrum of Composers in Poland! The recording chosen is of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's performance in the 2014 Metropolis Festival, conducted by Olli Mustonen.

Also, I've launched a new fundraising campaign with my good friend, flautist Naomi Johnson. We'll be presenting an exciting new project featuring my flute miniature series Following the Blackbird in Melbourne later this year. You can donate directly to the Australian Cultural Fund, or follow our progress on Facebook. Check out our video!

And what am I writing at the moment? I'm currently working on two commissions: from Plexus Ensemble, and from Macedon Music for Syzygy Ensemble. Hopefully the muses will be kind to me over the next few months!