Threads

Threads weaves a rich musical tapestry as the UQ Wind Symphony explores the influence of home, our origins, and the connections that shape people and music. Through a diverse program, the concert traces the threads that bind us—culturally, emotionally, and musically—inviting reflection on where we come from and how we remain connected. 

UQ Wind Symphony

Re-established in 2024, the UQ Wind Symphony has swiftly cultivated a vibrant culture of inclusion, connection, and artistic excellence. This auditioned ensemble is made up of approximately 50 talented musicians, primarily featuring members from the University of Queensland student community while also embracing skilled performers from the wider public. Committed to genuine collaboration and expressive performance, the UQ Wind Symphony is poised to become one of Australia's leading youth wind ensembles.

Conductor

Rachel Howley is a conductor, music educator and researcher. She completed a Doctor of Musical Arts (Conducting) at the Queensland TheConservatorium Griffith University and has conducted some of Australia’s finest youth ensembles. In addition to the UQ Wind Symphony, she is the regular conductor of Queensland Youth Orchestra 3 and the Griffith University Young Conservatorium Wind Ensemble. Additionally, she conducts in the Queensland State Honours Ensembles Program and is a Queensland Wind Orchestra conducting team member. Rachel has spent over 20 years in school instrumental music program leadership and is a respected clinician throughout Australia. In 2023, Rachel became a Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellow at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference and in 2022, was named one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, Rachel's research focuses on the pivotal role of conductors in championing Australian female composers' wind band works. In 2018, she founded the Australian Women’s Wind Band Composition Award, which has contributed more than 50 new works by Australian female-identifying composers to the industry. 

Program

Two Fires Talking – Christopher Sainsbury

The piece Two Fires Talking is composed by First Nations composer Christopher Sainsbury and fulfills an acknowledgement of country through music. 
 
The piece is about two Aboriginal clans coming together for business and cultural sharing. It suggests the leaving of two separate hearths to come together around one. It suggests respectful silence, protocol and sharing. It also suggests the coming together of two cultures – Aboriginal and European, in a similar attitude of sharing. 
 
Originally commissioned by Artology for its Acknowledgement of Country program, it was first performed by Queensland Youth Symphony in 2021, conducted by Rachel Howley. The University of Queensland, School of Music commissioned this symphonic winds arrangement which will be premiered tonight. 
 

Origins – Cait Nishimura 

Uplifting and empowering, Origins evokes the feeling of returning home — a moment to reflect on the changes time brings and the constants that remain. The piece celebrates full-circle experiences and the lasting impact of meaningful people and places along one’s journey.
 
Driven by rhythmic energy and a sense of quiet strength, Origins is a tribute to personal growth and gratitude. It was commissioned by Dr. Jeff Reynolds for the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble to open their 2022–23 concert season — a meaningful project for Nishimura, herself an alumna of the university and former student of Dr. Reynolds.
 

My Universe – Maria Guadalupe Alvarez

Irish Tune from County Derry – Percy Grainger 

Composed in 1902 and arranged for military band and organ in 1918, Irish Tune from County Derry is Percy Grainger’s evocative setting of the traditional Irish folk song "The Londonderry Air." Through his unique compositional voice, Grainger transforms the simple, lyrical melody into a rich soundscape, highlighting the emotional depth of the piece.
 
Irish Tune from County Derry evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, conjuring images of the Irish countryside and has become a beloved standard in the wind band repertoire, admired for its expressive qualities and Grainger’s ability to stir the soul through music.
 

The Last Flight Out – Cathy Likhuta

Inspired by a whirlwind travel experience, The Last Flight Out captures the energy and urgency of a journey that nearly didn’t happen. Written after a chaotic attempt to reach a performance of her timpani concerto in Kansas City, the piece reflects the adrenaline rush of delayed flights, last-minute decisions, and Likhuta’s sheer determination to get there in time.
 
With driving rhythms, shifting textures, and moments of both tension and triumph, the music takes listeners on a journey filled with uncertainty, perseverance, and ultimately, success. 
 
This evening’s performance is the Australian premiere of The Last Flight Out, and the University of Queensland School of Music are proud to be part of the international consortium for this piece. 

Vulnerable Joy – Jodie Blackshaw 

Composed in 2023, Vulnerable Joy reflects the emotional journey of a mother humpback whale migrating from Tonga to Antarctica, and the joy she feels upon returning home. The piece explores themes of strength, sacrifice, and the vulnerability of the journey, while celebrating the whale’s reunion with the peaceful waters of her home.
 
The music opens with a "survival" theme from the horns, symbolizing the whale’s endurance, followed by a delicate portrayal of the bond between mother and calf depicted in the bassoon. Throughout, whispered chants in multiple languages, such as "Welcome" and "Love," offer a global chorus of support.
 
Vulnerable Joy is part of Blackshaw’s Conservation Series, which aims to raise awareness about endangered species and the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability in nature.
 

Suite of Old American Dances – Robert Russell Bennett 

Composed in 1949 and premiered by the Goldman Band in 1950, Suite of Old American Dances is Robert Russell Bennett’s spirited tribute to the social dance music of early 20th-century America. Drawing inspiration from the styles heard in ballrooms, dance halls, and community gatherings, the suite blends nostalgia with vivid orchestration to capture the rhythm and character of a uniquely American musical era.
 
The five movements reflect a wide range of moods and dance forms:
 

1. Cake Walk – Playful and syncopated, this movement reflects the strutting charm of a dance with roots in African American tradition, popularized in minstrel and vaudeville shows.  
2. Schottische – A gentle, lilting dance of European origin, here given an easy-going, distinctly American flavor.  
3. Western One-Step – Fast-paced and energetic, driven by ragtime rhythms and bold instrumental color.  
4. Wallflower Waltz – Expressive and nostalgic, capturing the quiet emotions of those who observe the dance rather than join in.  
5. Rag – A bright, upbeat conclusion that showcases syncopation and joy with irresistible forward momentum.

 
Since its premiere, the suite has become a cornerstone of the wind band repertoire, admired for its craftsmanship and charm. Its success helped elevate the artistic possibilities of concert band writing and has influenced generations of composers in shaping the modern wind band sound.

Guilin’s Majesty – Benjamin Lau 

Inspired by the composer’s visit to Guangxi, China in early 2024, Guilin’s Majesty is a musical portrait of one of the country’s most strikingly beautiful provinces. Anchored by flowing pentatonic melodies, the piece invites listeners on a vivid journey through the region’s iconic landscapes — from soaring karst mountains to the tranquil flow of the Li River.
 
Guilin’s Majesty was awarded first prize in the 2024 Australian National Composition Competition hosted by the Australian Band and Orchestra Director’s Association National Board.