Dream Sequence (2024)

Commissioned by APRA AMCOS/AMC Art Music Fund 2023 | Premiered by Ensemble Offspring (Claire Edwardes and Lamorna Nightingale)

Dream Sequence is part of a larger collection of works-in-progress titled Earbuds. Earbuds is a suite of five works, each composed in collaboration with a different flute and percussion duo from around the world. In composing this suite, I’m interested in the way the unique artistic personalities of each duo can influence and be incorporated into the work’s character and direction. 


Among the various duos contributing to this project…I have known Claire and Lamorna the longest! The first piece I wrote for Claire was part of a first year percussion workshop and featured a set-up of objects bought from a second-hand shop (thereafter objects became an important part of my work!). My first commission outside of my undergraduate studies was for Ensemble Offspring’s Sizzle where I remember particularly loving the theatre and playfulness Lamorna brought to her solo (thereafter the theatre of performance become an important part of my work!). Earlier this year, I had the joy of sitting down with Claire and Lamorna to discuss the project and their longstanding creative friendship. Dream Sequence draws on this conversation, the music and other memories I have had the privilege of sharing with them. With a playground of sounds and an episodic structure that is reminiscent of the fragmented nature of dreams, Dream Sequence encapsulates the multitude of music and moments shared by the duo.

An important side note for those who are curious: along with the glockenspiel, Claire’s set-up incorporates 2 nano bug cat toys, some cat bells and bowls. This set-up is dedicated to Claire’s cat Louis and Lamorna’s cat Ligeti (even though I’m allergic to cats!).