Jared's Favourite 10 Performances from 2018!

Hi everyone! Gee, it has been a little while since I posted here (I have been fairly busy with my composing and studies)! 2018 has been a huge year, with my exchange to Salford University, plus my big year of performances back home in Melbourne. Below you can find my top 10 favourite performances of my music from 2018. 

I am excited about everything lined up in 2019! The Australian National Championships at Easter will be a big weekend, with 'Vengeance' being my first set test work at a National Contest. Keep your eyes peeled for more of my works throughout the weekend too! I'm also excited about a number of other works coming through the pipeline set for premieres in 2019! No clues just yet, but follow me on Facebook for updates as they arise!

1) Fountain City Brass Band - 'The First Noel'

I received this special surprise on my 21st birthday, Fountain City Brass Band (the leading band from USA) rehearsing my arrangement of 'The First Noel'. I was blown away by the cinematic quality of the performance, and how incredible the band supported the soloist. If your band needs a new arrangement for next Christmas, fill the band's 2018 stocking with this arrangement today! 

2) Glenferrie Brass - 'Manchester'

My brand new entertainment work 'Manchester' was premiered by Glenferrie Brass (formerly Kew and Hawthorn Brass Bands), under Musical Director Broden Ford. A deceptively difficult composition, which was awarded 3rd place in the 2018 Compfest International Composer's Festival. 

3) Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band - 'Vengeance'

In preparation for next year's Australian National contest, Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band kindly recorded a sample performance of 'Vengeance' for the Open D Grade Brass Band competition. It was amazing to hear Australia's premier brass band workshop and explore my composition, and put up a great performance in only one rehearsal! If you want to hear it again, make it along to Brisbane Town Hall Easter 2019 to see all the Open D Grade Brass Bands give it their best shot!

4) What the Funk - 'Happy'

While it isn't one of my pieces, my busking group What the Funk has had a blast hitting the streets throughout this year. We've played at the Ron Barassi Senior Park Open Day in Melbourne City, as well as at the MCG for the final round of the AFL. Make sure you give us a like on Facebook or Instagram to keep up to date with all the fun we get up to! 

5) Salford University Brass Band - 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face'

I was fortunate enough to win the 2018 Kirklees Competition for Best Arrangement for 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face'. While the rights haven't been acquired to distribute the arrangement just yet, you can enjoy the arrangement in the video above! Keep your eyes peeled for news in 2019!

6) A4 Brass Quartet - 'Just Cause'

Earlier in 2018, I was lucky enough to be awarded Runner Up in the A4 Brass Quartet Composition Competition for my new work 'Just Cause'. A slower, melancholic work that confronts sanctimony in Western Society. The A4 Quartet perform the work exquisitely, and have programmed it across Europe this year! 

7) Geelong West Brass Band - 'Nicaea'

I've developed a fantastic relationship with Jeff and the Geelong West Brass Band, so I was thrilled when they premiered my new sacred item arrangement 'Nicaea' at the 2018 Victorian State Band Championships. A fantastic performance of another sacred item in my catalogue. I also made a little video explaining the writing process behind the arrangement, which you can watch below. 

8) John Gillespie - 'My Imaginary Friend'

After meeting John at the 2018 European Brass Band Championships in Utrecht, John premiered my new High Tuba solo 'My Imaginary Friend' at the 2018 International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea. Fun to write for my brass instrument of choice as part of my studies at Salford University earlier this year.

9) Kensington & Norwood Brass Band - 'Deep Harmony'

After its premiere at the Australian Nationals in April this year, my setting of 'Deep Harmony' proved to be very popular in 2018, with a riveting performance by Kensington & Norwood Brass in South Australia being a real highlight of the year. The band later programmed two more of my sacred settings in their 120th Birthday celebrations (you can watch 'Nicaea' here.

10) Adelphi Brass Band - 'Bread of the World'

Another popular sacred item from this year, 'Bread of the World' was performed during my studies at Salford University by the student-led Adelphi Brass Band. Having also been performed at the 2018 Australian Nationals and by the world-renowned Fairey Band, this setting is unlike many other settings out there, so make sure to add it to your contesting or performing program!

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What did you think of this list? Do you have a favourite performance of mine? Let me know below or shoot me through an email!