Description
Duration 3:20 min
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COMPOSER'S NOTES
I was commissioned by Luke Carbon, on behalf of the Flying Emu Consortium, to compose this piece. The goal was to create music that reflected the Country in which it would be performed. As I am not from the Kulin Nation, I sought guidance from Wurundjeri man Craig Murphy-Wandin on what would be an appropriate subject for young musicians to engage with. From his words, I composed this piece and represented his words through phrases throughout the piece .
To embed more Wurundjeri spirit within the music, I incorporated elements from a corroboree song that was notated from a performance by William Barak. My intention was for the piece to stand independently while also allowing the possibility for Wurundjeri people to perform it alongside a concert band in the future—or to grant their blessing for others to perform it.
Out of respect for Wurundjeri cultural property, I defer to Craig Murphy-Wandin or another Wurundjeri cultural authority regarding when, where, and how the original corroboree song may be shared.
NOTES BY JAMES HENRY: FEBRUARY 2025
"Be inspired by this ancient land to learn and to respectfully acknowledge the wurundjeri woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation that nurtured Country for over 65,000 years. Bunjil our creator spirit looks over the Birrarung through the Manna Gum Trees and into the Dreaming.
Mother Earth holds our cultural identity,
our spirit is born from the land, the waters and the sky.
There is no greater gift for us to share with you than our
deep connection to protecting and preserving our one and only Mother Country. "
CRAIG MURPHY-WANDIN
Instrumentation: Flute 1 2, Oboe, Bassoon, Bb Clarinet 1 2 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax 1 2, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, F Horn, Bb Trumpet 1 2, Trombone 1 2, Euphonium (BC & TC), Tuba, Double Bass, Timpani, Glockenspiel, Suspended Cymbal, Clap Sticks (2 x pairs), Triangle, Tambourine