Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

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Work Overview

Composed as part of the Compose With ASO workshop program by the students of Rivergum Christian College(2024) and realised by composer Lauren McCormick (b.1999), Lake Bonney Barmera is a unique collaboration brought together the creative visions of young students with professional orchestration, resulting in a vibrant and evocative piece which pays homage to the students' home in the South Australian Riverlands. Structured in three distinct sections, the composition depicts the different relationships that the students have with the lake as a source of life, entertainment, fear, and reverence.

Lake Bonney Barmera opens with a lively and energetic portrayal of summer days at Lake Bonney. Through playful and buoyant melodies composed by the students of Rivergum Christian College, the music depicts a flurry of fun activities. Fishermen engage in friendly competition, asking, "How many carp can you catch?" and the excitement of thrill-seekers racing on jet skis juxtaposed with a relaxing kayak ride are juxtaposed to capture the joy and liveliness of summer days at the lake. But Lake Bonney is a changeable force of nature, and the fun summer days soon give way to rising flood waters, presenting an impending danger to the local community. The second section of the piece presents a likewise dramatic shift in mood. The music intensifies, with the introduction of each instrument slowly building the intensity of the sound, reflecting the increasing severity of rising floodwaters. Dissonant harmonies and a crescendo of sound mimics the escalating tension as the flood waters continue to rise. The rain turns into a storm, marked by crashing cymbals and thundering timpani.

Following a dramatic climax, the storm recedes, and the waters still once more. The music becomes calmer yet carries an undertone of unease, never quite settling into a new rhythm. The trunks and branches of the dead scar trees are silhouetted against the sunset reflected on the water, both serene and foreboding, beautiful yet unsettling. The calls of gulls flying over the lake can be heard in this tranquil yet eerie scene. This closing statement embodies the dual nature of the lake-its serene beauty and its unsettling majesty. Through the use of soft, sustained strings and gentle woodwind interjections, the piece concludes with a poignant reflection on the lake's lasting impact on the landscape and the community.

Work Details

Year: 2024

Duration: 7 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

First performance: by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Luke Dollman — 24 Sep 24. Grainger Studio

Commissioning and Dedication info from Contribute:

Commissioned by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as part of their Compose with ASO program. Composed in conjunction with the students of Rivergum Christian College.