WORKS COMMISSIONED BY THE
AUSTRALIAN MANDOLIN MUSIC ASSOCIATION INC.
Please note: The rights to music commissioned by AMMA remains with the composer. AMMA will have the right to distribute a limited number of copies of the music it commissions (generally about 10-15 copies). Once these have been distributed the music must be purchased directly from the composer or their publisher. AMMA does not sell any music.
2010 Commissions
Keith Harris - "Three Miniatures" completed September 2011
A work for mandolin orchestra with percussion and optional mandocello part. It comprises three movements - Domra, Habanera and Pipelined. Keith has had a career as a mandolin soloist, teacher, conductor and a composer/arranger. His work "Diamantina Suite" was performed at the 2009 FAME festival in Brisbane Australia and was enjoyed by audience and players alike. Keith's knowledge of plucked string instruments is second to none.
PDF format available on request.
This commission hasbeen distributed to the following orchestras for performance:
1. West Australian Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
2. Sydney Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
3. Providence Mandolin Orchestra (Rhode Is. USA)
4. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan)
5. The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra (Brighton, England)
6. ONI Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
7. COZMO (Australia)
8. Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
9. Mandolins In Brisbane (Australia)
10. Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra (New Zealand)
11. Het Consort (The Netherlands)
12. Estrellita Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
13. Dudenhofen Zupforchester (Germany)
14. Da Capo Alba (Scotland)
15. TBA
16. TBA
17. TBA
18. TBA
After the initial distribution, the music will be available from www.trekel.de
2010 Commissions
Richard Charlton - "A Day at the Circus" completed October 2009.
This is a work for standard mandolin orchestra (no percussion). It comprises four movements - Under the Big Top, Clowns!, Flying!, and Bareback Riders.
This is Richard's third work for mandolin orchestra, and he clearly demonstrates his understanding of the instruments and his creativity in writing ensemble music. His reputation is well deserved. Great fun for the orchestra and the audience!
Click here for Charlton 2009 Programme Notes.
This commission hasbeen distributed to the following orchestras for performance:
1. West Australian Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
2. Sydney Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
3. Providence Mandolin Orchestra (Rhode Is. USA)
4. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan)
5. The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra (Brighton, England)
6. ONI Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
7. COZMO (Australia)
8. Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
9. Mandolins In Brisbane (Australia)
10. Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra (New Zealand)
11. Het Consort (The Netherlands)
12. Estrellita Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
13. Dudenhofen Zupforchester (Germany)
14. Da Capo Alba (Scotland)
15. Louisville Mandolin Orchestra (Kentucky, USA)
After the initial distribution, the music will be available from www.richardcharlton.com.au
John Peterson - "Illawarra Dances" completed in March 2009. This is a single movement work for mandolin orchestra and percussion. To quote from John's programmme notes:
2008 Commissions
Robert Schulz - "Dance Pieces 3 & 4" completed in March 2009.
This is a work for mandolin orchestra with percussion. Robert has written a sequel to his highly successful "Dance Pieces 1 & 2" (1978) which have been widely performed and recorded. Click here for detailed programme notes.
This commission hasbeen distributed to the following orchestras for performance:
1. West Australian Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
2. Sydney Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
3. Providence Mandolin Orchestra (Rhode Is. USA)
4. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan)
5. The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra (Brighton, England)
6. ONI Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
7. Concordia Mandolin & Guitar Ensemble (Australia)
8. COZMO (Australia)
9. Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
10. Mandolins In Brisbane (Australia)
11. Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra (New Zealand)
12. Het Consort (The Netherlands)
13. Estrellita Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
14. Canberra Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
15. Dudenhofen Zupforchester (Germany)
16. Da Capo Alba (Scotland)
17. Louisville Mandolin Orchestra (Kentucky, USA)
After the initial distribution, the music will be available from www.robertschulz.net.
"Rhythmic impetus is, in fact, one of the principal elements in Illawarra Dances. The rhythmic devices employed include the use of additive rhythms (alternating bars of 11/8 and 13/8) in the second main section of the piece that, along with the syncopated rhythms in the first section, continually propel the music along, reflecting not only the sense of energy and vitality of the Illawarra area in general, but also referring more specifically to the impact that the steel and mining industries have had on this area over the past seventy-five years."
Click here for detailed programme notes.
1. West Australian Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
2. Sydney Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
3. Providence Mandolin Orchestra (Rhode Is. USA)
4. Hessisches Zupforchester (Germany)
5. Het Consort (The Netherlands)
6. Dudenhofen Zupforchester (Germany)
7. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan)
8. Estrellita Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
9. ONI Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
10. Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
11. Mandolins in Brisbane (Australia)
12. Concordia Mandolin & Guitar Ensemble (Australia)
13. COZMO (Australia)
14. Louisville Mandolin Orchestra (Kentucky, USA)
15. Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra (UK)
This is John's second work for mandolin orchestra. His first, "Under Sydney Skies" was premiered at the FAME music camp in Sydney in January 2008.
John's mandolin music is available from Wirripang Music at www.australiancomposers.com.au
Ann Carr-Boyd - "Suite for Solo Mandolin" completed January 2008.
2007 Commissions
This is a work for solo mandolin at a grade 6/7 level. Each of the six movements has been inspired by different cats that Ann has known. Click here for detailed programme notes. The work was premiered in the town of Muecke, Germany on 25th March 2008 by Stephanie Rauch, and had it's Australian premiere in Brisbane on 9th July 2009 by Sue Flower (with Ann narrating each movement!).
This commission has been distributed to the following performers/teachers:
1. Robert Schulz (Western Australia)
2. Adrian Hooper (NSW)
3. Marissa Carroll (Queensland)
4. Alison Stephens (UK)
5. Ian Harris (UK)
6. Mark Davis (Rhode Island, USA)
7. Fiona Ziegler (NSW)
8. Sanae Onji (Japan)
9. Stephanie Rauch (Germany) - Premiere Performance 25 March 2008
10. Barbara Pommerenke-Steel (Scotland)
11. Sue Flower (Australia) - Australian Premiere Performance 9 July 2009
Ann has written for mandolin and mandolin orchestra over many years and has a well deserved reputation as a leading and innovative Australian composer in this field. Previous works include "Fandango (1982)" which has been played extensively by orchestras in Australia, and "Music for an Imaginery Italian Film (1986)" which was recently performed by the Australian Mandolin Orchestra on it's tour of Germany and Holland in 2006. Both works have also been performed by mandolin orchestras in the USA.
The music is now available from Wirripang Music at www.australiancomposers.com.au
Betty Beath - "Though I travel far ... I do not forget" completed in March 2008.
This is a work for mandolin orchestra which has been inspired by Greek folk melodies. Betty has had a long association with the Greek community where she lives in Highgate Hill, NSW. Click here for detailed programme notes.
This commission will be distributed to the following orchestras for performance:
1. West Australian Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
2. Sydney Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
3. Hessisches Zupforchester (Germany)
4. Dudenhofen Zupforchester (Germany)
5. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan)
- Premiere Performance 1 Nov 2008
6. Providence Mandolin Orchestra (Rhode Is. USA) - Performed 16 Nov 2008.
7. Mandolins In Brisbane (Australia)
8. Estrellita Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
9. ONI Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands) - to be performed April/May 2009.
10. COZMO (Canberra)
Betty has previously written for mandolin ensembles. Her 1997 work "Mikri Thalassa" (written for Sydney Mandolins) was recently performed again in Sydney in January 2008 at the annual Federation of Australasian Mandolin Ensemble (FAME) music camp and her "Lament for Kosovo" was performed by the Providence Mandolin Orchestra (Rhode Is, USA) in the USA on 6 April 2008 and also on their tour of Holland later in 2008.
The music is now available from Wirripang Music at www.australiancomposers.com.au
Richard Charlton - "The Adventures of the Duyfken" completed in June 2007. Robert Schulz - "A Symphony of Seasons" for Mandolin Orchestra, Oboe, Timpani and Percussion was completed January 2007.
2006 Commissions
This is a work in four movements for mandolin orchestra and percussion. Richard was inspired after seeing the replica of the Duyfken in Sydney Harbour. This will be suitable for most mandolin orchestras and has a fascinating story to go with it. Click here for detailed programme notes. The work was premiered in Holland by the ONI Mandolin Orchestra on 3rd November 2007. It was premiered in the UK by the Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra in Brighton, UK on 13th May 2008. The Sydney Mandolin Orchestra held the Australian premiere on 22nd June 2008 with Richard Charlton in the audience. Other orchestras have also included it on their programme for 2008
This commission has been distributed to the following orchestras for performance:
1. West Australian Mandolin Orchestra - Performed 13 July 2008.
2. Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra
3. Mandolins In Brisbane - Performed 11 July 2009 to an audience of 650 people!
4. Sydney Mandolin Orchestra - Performed 22 June 2008.
5. Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra (New Zealand)
6. The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra (Brighton, England)
- Performed 13 May 2008.
7. Estrellita Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
8. ONI Mandolin Orchestra (The Netherlands)
- Premiere Perfomance: 2 November 2007
9. Dudenhofen Zupforchester (Germany)
10. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan) - Performed 26 June 2008 and an excellent live recording of their 21.11.2008 performance is available.
The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra, Brighton, UK
Richard is a renowned performer and composer for classical guitar and his first work for mandolin orchestra, "Dances for the Mandolin and the Moon", was completed in 2005 and first performed at the Federation of Australasian Mandolin Ensembles (FAME) concert in Canberra in January 2006. It was also performed during the Australasian Mandolin Orchestra tour of Germany and Holland in May 2006. This commission is his second work for mandolin orchestra.
Copies of the score and parts are now available from www.richardcharlton.com.au
This is a work in six movements - one for each of the six Aboriginal seasons Mukuru, Djilba, Kambarang, Birak, Bunuru, and Djeran. It was premiered in Japan on 18th November 2007 by the Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra with Robert conducting the performance. Performed to a full house, the work had a wonderful reception.
This is a lengthy piece (over 30 minutes) with a big sound and best suited to a large orchestra, perhaps as a feature to a major concert or festival. Click here for detailed programme notes.
This commission has been distributed to the following orchestras for performance:
1. Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra (Japan)
- Premiere Performance 18 Nov 2007
2. Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra (Australia)
3. Mandolins In Brisbane (Australia)
4. Patras Mandolin Orchestra (conducted by Thanasis Tsipinakis -Greece)
5. Hessisches Zupforchester (Germany)
The Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra
Robert is a professional musician/composer/teacher and is the conductor of the WA Mandolin Orchestra. He has written many works for mandolin and these have been recorded by orchestras in Germany, Holland, Greece, Denmark, Japan, America and Australia.
Robert has a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of plucked instruments such as the classical guitar and mandolin, and his music is highly regarded by both performers and audience alike. He has received numerous commissions in the past.
Copies of the score and parts are now available from www.robertschulz.net
