Composer’s Note

Gum Tree Country, composed in 2003, was commissioned for performance by Waratah Girls Choir, Newcastle, Australia, directed by Wynette Horne.

Scored for a cappella SSAA choir and a quartet of chorister soloists (SSAA), Gum Tree Country reflects on the impact and awe-inspiring nature of the Australian bush-fires. A variety of writings by Australian authors were consulted when compiling the text of the work, such as poetry of Judith Wright and Frieda Hughes, excerpts from Douglas Stewart’s play “Ned Kelly”, Ashley Hay’s novel “Gum: The Story of Eucalypts and Their Champions”, and words and images used in the media at the time of the 2001-2002 New South Wales fires.

The setting of the text inspired the use of a number of musical ideas, such as the anxious chanting of words within the first section, the contrasting of the chorister quartet with the full choir, homophonic choral writing suggestive of the fire’s impact, biting rhythms set to text concerning bull-dozers, chainsaws, firefighters and helitankers, and the use of a broader, more majestic music for the setting of Douglas Stewart’s text “It’s the gum-trees’ country”, which appears towards the conclusion of the work.

I warmly thank the Waratah Girls Choir and director, Wynette Horne, for commissioning the work and gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Australia Council.

Matthew Orlovich,
Composer.

Some of the Known Performances

SATURDAY 13 APRIL, 2019
Performers: The Australian Waratah Girls’ Choir (conductors Lindy Connett and Jennifer Scott)
Program: ChoralFest 2019 – “Gala Concert”.
Venue: Fremantle Town Hall, Fremantle, Western Australia.

JULY 2018 – Japan Tour
Performers: Waratah Girls Choir, directed by Lindy Connett.
Venue: International Tour – Japan.

JULY, 2006 – Canada Tour
Performers: Waratah Girls Choir, directed by Wynette Horne.
Venue: International Tour – Canada.

SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER, 2004
Performers: Waratah Girls Choir, directed by Wynette Horne.
Venue: ChoralFest 2004 Final Concert, Elder Hall, University of Adelaide.

FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER, 2004
Performers: Waratah Girls Choir, directed by Wynette Horne.
Venue: University of Adelaide Lunch Hour Concert, Elder Hall, University of Adelaide.

AUGUST 27 – 10 SEPTEMBER, 2003 – Finland Tour
Performers: Waratah Girls Choir, conducted by Wynette Horne
Venue: 5th International Choir Simpaatti, Finland.

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST, 2003 ***World Premiere Performance***
Performers: Waratah Girls Choir, conducted by Wynette Horne
Venue: Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Score Sample

Score Sample: Gum Tree Country (for SSAA choir & quartet of chorister soloists) | By Matthew Orlovich

Availability

Gum Tree Country
for a cappella SSAA choir and quartet of chorister soloists (SSAA)

For availability of PDF scores,
contact Matthew Orlovich.

Score Details

TITLE:
Gum Tree Country

DATE OF COMPOSITION:
2003

SCORED FOR:
A cappella SSAA choir & quartet of chorister soloists (SSAA)

TEXT:
See Composer’s Note & Score Sample

DURATION:
c. 5 minutes

WORLD PREMIERE:
Saturday 23rd August, 2003 (7:30PM) – Performed by Waratah Girls Choir, conducted by Wynette Horne @ Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

PUBLISHER:
Matthew Orlovich

ISMN:
To be assigned