ANDREW Ford is renowned for writing challenging pieces for virtuosos and composing elaborate operas for companies across the country, so creating music for a community choir is a little out of the ordinary.
But that’s exactly what council’s cultural development officer Jenny Kena tasked him to do and Ford was only too happy to oblige.
“Jenny was looking for a way to utilise some grants funding available for people from the Highlands and Tablelands to work with cultural groups in Canberra, so I developed A Singing Quilt,” Ford said.
Partnering with Canberra percussion ensemble DRUMatiX, an amalgamation of members from seven of the region’s community choirs will be performing the 20-minute piece at two concerts in Bundanoon tomorrow.
The first step in Ford’s elaborate work was to interview a variety of Highlands residents about their experiences and memories of living in the area - young, old, men, women, new residents and those who were born here.
He then took their comments and used them as the lyrics.
The actual voice recordings are also included as a backing track throughout the piece. Then came the daunting task of writing the music.
“Any commission I write comes with parameters, it’s just that writing for a community choir presents rather different restrictions,” Ford said.
“The main challenge composing for amateur singers is making it just hard enough.
“You want them to go home from the first rehearsal feeling they’ve accomplished something but still eagar to come back and learn more.”
For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, October 31
claire.mitchell@ruralpres s.com
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