Over the next few months Whangarei Youth Music will work with Auckland-based composer Anthony Young to create a new piece of music for ANZAC Commemorations in 2011 through one of two SOUNZ Community Commissions announced recently.

Over the next few months Whangarei Youth Music will work with Auckland-based composer Anthony Young to create a new piece of music for ANZAC Commemorations in 2011 through one of two SOUNZ Community Commissions announced recently.

The annual SOUNZ Community Commission, supported by an overseas benefactor, is awarded to facilitate the collaboration between a community group and a professional composer in producing a new musical work for performance.

Whangarei Youth Music provides more than 120 students with the opportunity to play and experience music making through orchestra, concert band, recorder consort, string and chamber groups.

“We say it’s the ultimate team sport,” says Fiona Douglas, one of the six conductors involved in WYM. “Playing music in a group with diverse membership provides learning opportunities for team skills, personal discipline and leadership.”

The group was approached by RSA Whangarei with the idea of bringing youth and elderly together for a ‘Field of Remembrance Ceremony’ for ANZAC Day 2011 through the performance of a work for massed orchestra and choir. Composer Anthony Young will travel to Whangarei to meet the musicians and conductors and, through a combination of skype, email and workshop visits, will create a piece for the ANZAC ceremony.

Anthony says: "The challenge in this project is to compose something that will be enjoyed not only by the musicians and audience, but will also help create a special atmosphere at this ANZAC Day commemoration.  ANZAC memorial services are poignant and emotional events, and I feel it is an honour to write music for such an occasion."

"Two thousand people attended the 2010 ANZAC Day ceremony at Laurie Hall Park," Fiona adds, "and next year's event promises to be even bigger. The ceremony is wonderful and unique in acomplishing intergenerational participation. We are thrilled to be able to participate in this SOUNZ Community Commission and to work closely with Anthony to create something very special and appropriate for such an important community event.

“In addition to the performance at the ANZAC Field of Remembrance Ceremony, the piece will also be played in the Cook Islands midyear while WYM is on tour because of its unique New Zealand flavour.”

This is the twelfth year in which SOUNZ Community Commissions have been awarded and the third year in a row that the award's overseas benefactor, who prefers to remain anonymous, has decided to support two Commissions. The other has been awarded to the Nelson Brass Academy and veteran composer John Rimmer. More information here.

Previous commissions have included a work from Helen Bowater for recorder ensemble and gamelan, an anthem by Rachel Clement for the Festival of Colour in Wanaka, a choral work in braille by Ross Carey for the Homai Campus, and a work by Claire Cowan for split orchestra and two conductors celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hutt Concert Orchestra.

More information, including a list of all previous recipients, is available here.