Swap from pop hits the right note

Composition Project 2021 offered up-and-coming Australian composers the opportunity to write a new solo work for a WASO musician.

Mentorship by Artistic Director James Ledger and WASO musicians facilitates a creative environment where the participants are able to bring their compositions to life through individual lessons, workshops and rehearsals.

Brendan is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at UWA majoring in Composition, so the Project was a natural extension of his education.

“I’m also studying Electronic Music and Sound Design so it’s quite a diverse mix of sounds and styles for me.”

Brendan is a mature-age student who has several years of experience in songwriting and performing, but the experience of composing for a WASO musician was a first for him.

“Andrew is an amazing musician and an incredibly generous collaborator who is infectiously enthusiastic about his instrument and music as a whole. Working with a musician of Andrew’s calibre has really helped by exposing me to ideas, music and techniques that I may never have discovered on my own. When you work with people of such high quality and professionalism you can’t help but be brought up to their level.”

Prior to studying at UWA, Brendan’s songwriting focused on pop music, however with a long-time affinity for classical music, composing for flute was an inviting challenge.

“I have previously written for woodwind instruments as part of an ensemble but this was my first experience writing for flute as a solo instrument. The flute is very versatile with great flexibility and a range that makes it a lot of fun to compose for. I’ve learned some fascinating extended techniques from Andrew that I have included in my composition. Working with Andrew has been a very collaborative process and I would happily compose for and with him again.”

The feeling has been mutual, with Andrew also enjoying the project and working with Brendan.

“Being as old as I am (!), this isn’t the first time I’ve worked with composers on solo pieces. The collaboration with Brendan has been excellent - we get on very well, and he has been a musician for a long time, so he definitely has a good idea as to what will work with audiences and also with musicians playing his music. The process of pitching ideas and finding out ways to best explore Brendan’s musical ideas on the flute has been fun and rewarding. I hope to explore some other projects further down the road.”

And it sounds like there is plenty in the works for both composer and musician. Brendan’s focus is now on finishing his Bachelor of Music, before continuing on to Honours, alongside a current work-in-progress composition for sextet; string quartet with clarinet and flute.

Andrew is looking forward to participating in more of WASO’s Community Engagement & Education programs over the coming months.

“It’s always a privilege for us musicians to be able to take part in these projects, to share our love of music, and to get to see how music can affect people in such powerful and profound ways.

“A privilege indeed!”

Find out more about Composition Project here.