At the beginning of this year, it was my pleasure to commence as Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra’s 2022 Emerging Composer-in-Residence. I’d grown up with Camerata and fondly remember the ensemble playing seasons for Queensland Ballet, which it continues to do today. When the post of Emerging Composer-in-Residence came up for appointment, I eagerly applied. I’d watched the many opportunities afforded to my predecessor, John Rotar, and knew that working for and with Camerata would be an excellent step in developing both my knowledge and my career.

Camerata on tour in Julia Creek, Queensland, in 2021. Photo © Angela Loh.

Camerata on tour in Julia Creek, Queensland, in 2021. Photo © Angela Loh.

Camerata really is Queensland’s chamber orchestra. Every year, the ensemble undertakes a regional tour across the state, and in so doing does a wonderful job of spreading the joy and infinite variety of music (as Lenny might have put it). As part of my residency, I was asked to write a new work for this regional tour, based on one of the tour destinations. I was given a choice of iconic Queensland locations to choose from, but the...