Composing Downunder: Australian Composers Composing for Band: David Jones

Composing Downunder: Australian Composers Composing for Band
Episode 4: David Jones
Program Notes
Fanfare Intrada ( BMC062) originated as a concert fanfare for brass and percussion. It was used as a processional for the opening of the Hillbrook Anglican School Performing Arts Complex. The trumpet motif that opens the piece was also used in a collection of works associated with the first performance staged in that building. This concert band setting was arranged for the consecration ceremony of the Hillbrook Chapel in 2006 and was premiered by the Hillbrook Wind Symphony.
Grade 3
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Streets of Forbes (BMC042) is a composition is based on the Australian folk song of the same name. Forbes is a country town in New South Whales situated around the Lachlan River and was home to the bushranger, Ben Hall. On May 1865, at the age of 28, Ben Hall was shot dead by police. His body was then paraded through the streets of Forbes. This piece aims to capture the spirit of adventure and the tragedy associated with this story.
Grade 3
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A One Eyed, Three-Legged Dog Named Lucky (BMC161) - some might say Lucky has had a rough life. He has been in more scuffles than the average house dog and he has had more than his fair share of visits to the vet, usually as a result of poor culinary decisions. There was also the unfortunate incident with a car that really has no right to be driving on his street. But, all things considered, in spite of the missing leg, Lucky is a happy dog. He's not beautiful in a classical sense, although he does like to think of himself as handsome in a more rustic kind of way. Sure, there are a few patches where his fur doesn't really grow anymore and he does only have one eye, but it is a very good eye! There's nothing wrong with his hearing either, although one of his ears does have a piece out of it thanks to the dog two doors down. These days Lucky spends his time at home ensuring the magpies don't land on his clothesline during the day and keeping the possums off the back fence of an evening.
Grade 3
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Driven (BMC069) was composed for the Hillbrook Anglican School Wind Symphony and premiered by the ensemble in a joint concert with the Queensland Youth Orchestra. This rhythmic work brings together fractions of melodic ideas , augmented and juxtaposed against each other.
Grade 3.5
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Nothing But the Best (BMC114) is a bright, march-like work written for young band that creates many opportunities for full ensemble playing alongside the interplay between previously stated and counter melodies. Nothing But the Best was commissioned by Mitchelton State School, Brisbane. It was premiered at the school’s centenary celebrations by a band made up of current and past students, teachers, and parents.
Grade 1.5
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Tempest Rising (BMC083), commencing with sparse, quiet opening, builds through layers of musical substance, intensifying the textural and harmonic nature of Tempest Rising until its final resolution in the climatic coda. Although it is not programmatic, there is an underlying sense of tension at the core of Tempest Rising; a storm building.
Grade 3.5
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Rhapsody (BMC103) Rhapsody was composed as a tribute to my University Band Director, Dr. Ralph Hultgren. It was under Dr. Hultgren’s baton that I was introduced to the great works for concert band, and it was through his music and tutorage that I developed my own compositional voice. He has had such an important influence on my development as a musician, teacher, conductor and composer.
Rhapsody contains some subtle, and some not so subtle, references to Ralph's work and my memories of playing in bands under his musical direction. Rhapsody was premiered in August 2014 at a concert celebrating Dr. Hultgren’s contribution to music and music education, by a band made up entirely of former students and colleagues.
Grade 4
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Ratbags (BMC151) - ‘ratbag’ is an Australian slang term used to describe someone who might be a bit mischievous. In this case it is applied with the utmost affection. When the composers two ratbags, Lily and Ella were a younger, 4 or 5 years old, we would play ‘hide and seek’. ‘Ratbags’ was premiered by the ‘Ferny Grove Cluster Advanced Music Camp Band’ on 20th June 2019. Recording by the Adelaide Wind Orchestra - Conductor Bryan Griffiths (www.awo.org.au/).
Grade 2.5
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Composing Downunder: Australian Composers Composing for Band
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