JODIE BLACKSHAW
Composer - Educator - Egalitarian
INTO THE SUN
Commissioned by the Western Sydney Public School Concert Band for PULSE 2013.
Grade 3~4.
Watch a performance
Where do
I buy it?
This piece is now published with 'Brolga Music'.
To purchase in the USA/Canda, please contact 'C. Alan Publications'.
Experiencing More than Just Notes on a Page
Caron L. Collins, Ph.D.
Jodie Blackshaw understands that there is more to a performance than merely replicating notes on a page. Music is a creative force that encompasses emotional connections to the turmoil and triumph in people’s lives. Through understanding these connections, music making is lifted to a higher level of expression and a deeper aesthetic experience for the musicians and the audience. Our SUNY Potsdam Campus Community Band participated in such an experience through the enhanced rehearsals and an informative performance of “Into the Sun”.
Our study of the piece was enriched through utilizing the resources provided in the score. The historical perspectives and personal stories of the immigrants seeking refuge in Australia allowed us to understand the various sections of the piece. Visiting the website links with videos and photos from this period in history helped us to relive the immigrants’ travels. We were so inspired that we even had a special didgeridoo constructed and performed with the piece in our Spring 2014 Informance.
Jodie joined us via Skype, during our “Informance” by sharing the significance of her piece through demonstrations and narrations with our band.
I encourage band directors everywhere to invest in the time for this deep musical experience with their own bands.
Score sample via Brolga Music
Tuba-ridoo
Øystein Baasdvik making his instrument sound like a didgeridoo. This effect is used in the opening & closing passages of
"Into the Sun".
Experience the piece
Mute the sound on the YouTube clip and play the recording of 'Into the Sun'. This visual collage was not created to accompany "Into the Sun" but it is an excellent introduction to what the piece is about. Enjoy!
Real stories that inspired this piece...
Helen Simanowsky from Ukraine
Arrived in Australia in 1948
Jacqueline Giuntini from Holland
Arrived in Australia in 1955
Rozalia Cetinich from Slovenia
Arrived in Australia in 1949
Yuol Akoy Yuol from Kenya
Arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2005
Michael Gawenda from Poland
Arrived in Australia in 1950
Arthur Hill from Poland (Jewish)
Arrived in Australia 1947
