Compositions about historical moments and events

One focus of my music has always been that of historical events, an influence taken from many of Shostakovich's compositions. These include:

Symphony No. 1 "Genocide" (completed in 2007) Premiered by the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Hillinger in 2007. Scored for large orchestra.

The first symphony depicts moments of Australian history, includinng a general depiction of the numerous genocides which occurred throughout, in particular, during British colonisation.

Symphony No. 2 "Gallipoli" (completed in 2010) Premiered by the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Hillinger in 2015 for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings

The second symphony depicts various events from the violent campaign in the area known as Gallipoli, near the town of Gelibolu in Turkey. It was composed following a trip to Turkey in 2008, and was written in preparation for the 100th Anniversary of the first ANZAC Day, a day of remembrance for the men and women who have served in the Australia forces. ANZAC Day occurs on April 25th, the day in which members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) attacked at Gallipoli, the first time in which these soldiers fought under their own nationalities instead of as members of the British army. The day is a significant one, as it is seen by many as the moment in which the nation felt independent, despite Australian indepedence occurring in 1901.

The Attack on Bir Saba (Beersheba) (completed in 2009) Premiered by the University of New Hampshire Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. William Kempster in 2009. Scored for 8 part choir (SSAATTBB) and 2 pianos.

This work depicts the events on October 31st, 1917, when the Australian Lighthorse completed the last successful (horse) cavalry charge in history, and the only one against entrenched machine gun emplacements. Precluded by day long attacks by British and Australian infantry, and an extensive battle between New Zealand and Turkish troops in the high land nearby, the attack resulted in the capture of the town of Beersheba (Bir Saba), and the survival of all remaining soldiers and horses, all of which would have died from thirst if the attack had failed.

Images of Gelibolu (Gallipoli) (completed in 2010). Scored for large orchestra. To date unperformed