The Bega Shipwreck
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posted on 2024-04-02, 05:21 authored by Paul DeanCommissioned by Four Winds, The Bega Shipwreck contributes to Australian repertoire for school students. It is written for an ensemble of beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, with the opportunity for community and professional musicians to join in. The piece follows the short-lived voyage of the Bega, which sank off the coast of Tathra in 1908, and attempts to give a happy ending to the 179 pigs who were dumped overboard in the ordeal. It was premiered by a combination of school students and community musicians from Bega, Bermagui, Cobargo, and Tathra, as well as members of Ensemble Q, on 22 September, 2023, at the Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner Education Hall in Bega, NSW.
Image courtesy Four Winds.
Funding
Australia Council for the Arts
History
ERA Category
- Original Creative Work - Musical Composition
Funding type
- Public funds
Eligible major research output?
- Yes
Research Statement
The Bega Shipwreck contributes to Australian repertoire for school students. It is written for an ensemble of beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, with the opportunity for community and professional musicians to join in. The piece follows the short-lived voyage of the Bega, which sank off the coast of Tathra in 1908, and attempts to give a happy ending to the 179 pigs who were dumped overboard in the ordeal. It was premiered on 22 September, 2023, at the Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner Education Hall in Bega, NSW. There is limited Australian repertoire that explores mix-level while still being stimulating for the performers, listeners, and composer. The Bega Shipwreck, composed around the Bega shipwreck disaster in 1908, is my contribution to this repertoire. After completing several pieces for professional orchestras in Australia, the challenge was achieving my sound world without the high skill level of professional performers. As such, the piece has multiple layers, with parts written for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students on flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, cello, and bass. Importantly, the piece can be performed with some parts missing or performers covering parts (e.g., a saxophonist playing a trumpet part). There are also solo violin and cello parts that can be played by professional musicians, teachers, or more advanced students. The piece is significant not only in providing students of all levels with stimulating repertoire to play but also in giving students the opportunity to perform with older students, community musicians, and professional musicians. The piece was commissioned by Four Winds, a leading music performance platform in regional NSW. It was premiered by a combination of school students and community musicians from the surrounding communities of Bega, Bermagui, Cobargo, and Tathra alongside members of Ensemble Q on 22 September, 2023, at the Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner Education Hall in Bega, NSW. This work will be published through the Australian Music Centre and available from mid-2024.Copyright notes
© 2023 Paul DeanPerformance size
- Group
Authors of work performed
Paul DeanWas the work disseminated?
- Yes
Form of dissemination
- Public performance