Work
Skirmish in Seven
for concert band
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About
This work was commissioned by the Manukau City Concert Band (cond. Kathleen Mulligan), on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. By chance, at time of writing, it was also the 10-year anniversary of another work of mine, Earthbound Wings, a symphonic poem for wind orchestra. Said work is, to say the least, warlike, and Skirmish In Seven echoes part of it in its use of 7/8 meter coupled with insistent snare drum ostinati. The ‘skirmish’ of the title is also reflected by clear juxtapositions of sections that contrast in both instrumentation and mood: just when you think we are in a gentle, consonant frame of mind, along comes the dissonance and percussiveness.
Westlake Concert Band was awarded 'Best Performance of a New Zealand Work' for the concert bands section of the 2013 KBB Music Festival, for their performance of Skirmish In Seven.
Commissioned note
Commissioned by the Manukau City Concert Band (cond. Kathleen Mulligan), on the occasion of their 40th anniversary.
Difficulty note
Suitable for community, military or secondary school bands.
Dedication note
for the Manukau City Concert Band on their 40th anniversary
Performance history
02 Oct 2011: Performed by Manukau City Concert Band conducted by Kathleen Mulligan at Ormiston Senior College, in Auckland.
Performed by Westlake Boys' High School, conducted by Warwick Robinson, at the 2013 KBB Music Festival in Auckland. This performance was awarded the 'Best Performance of a New Zealand Work' in the concert bands category of the festival.