Skittled - Wind Quintet

Skittled (2015/2022)

-for Wind Quintet

Duration: approx. 10 minutes

Difficulty: Advanced

Download includes full score and complete set of performance parts.

In 1999, I had the good fortune of being selected as the South Australian delegate for the Australian Society for Music Education's Young Composer's Project, held that year in Sydney. I was an eager but musically naive 18-year-old, having earlier that year commenced studying composition at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium. Through the tutelage of Composer-in-Residence Matthew Hindson, my time in Sydney introduced me to the music of Ross Edwards via his effervescent and beautiful ‘Flower Songs’.

Fast forward a few years, and I have the privilege of being the Composer-in-Residence for the 2015 ASME conference held this year in my home city of Adelaide. In writing a new work for the Australian String Quartet to premiere during the conference, I turned again to the music of Ross Edwards which has continued to delight and inspire me.

The resultant work Skittled certainly bears my own musical trademarks of irregular metres and twisting modal melodic lines, but there is also a deliberate repetitiveness of short melodic themes, a playful interplay between the parts and a joyful dance-like character that is intended to pay homage to the choral ‘maninya’ that I heard and loved as a student.

In arranging this work for Wind Quintet, it was immediately apparent to me how naturally the rhythmic and melodic energy of the work would translate to the new medium. This arrangement is dedicated to Arcadia Winds, as a sign of my gratitude for their energy and enthusiasm in exploring and championing Australian wind repertoire.