SIEGE
Open A Grade Test Piece Australian National Band Championships 2023

Instrumentation

Cornets (Soprano, Solo 1,2,3,4, Repiano, 2nd, 3rd)
Flugelhorn
Tenor Horns (Solo, 1st, 2nd)
Baritones (1st, 2nd)
Trombones (1st, 2nd, Bass)
Euphoniums (1st, 2nd)
Eb Bass
Bb Bass
Percussion 1 (Timpani, Vibraslap, Concert Bass Drum)
Percussion 2 (Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum, Hi-hat, Woodblocks, Ride Cymbal, Clash Cymbals, Ratchet, Bass Drum, Tubular Bells)
Percussion 3 (Tubular Bells, Sleigh Bells, Crash Cymbal, Anvil, Vibraphone)

Details

Purchase

'SIEGE' is written in response to the Sydney Siege events of 15th and 16th December 2014. A sole perpetrator held 18 victims hostage in the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place as part of a 16-hour siege. Jared McCunnie's 'SIEGE' is an emotional response to the tension, unease and hurt caused by the event.

The opening section 'Day' captures the abrupt imposition of the sinister siege event upon an otherwise festive Sydney city morning. The response is chaotic and concerned, as Australia tries to interpret the situation unfolding within the building. The siege is seemingly unyielding, with even the frenzied escape of five hostages not easing the tension.

A crescendo of movement pushes the work into the haunting 'Night' section. The eerie quiet, coupled with the shimmering of Sydney's city lights only heightens the unease both within and beyond the cafe's walls. After more hostages escape, an alarming sense of foreboding surges over Martin Place. Two shotgun blasts from within the building instigates an armed police raid of the cafe. An explosion of 22 shots are fired, and the siege comes to an end. Four people are injured and three (including the perpetrator) are dead.

The final section 'Elegy' is dedicated to the lives of hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, who were tragically killed during the siege. Solemn and reflective, 'Elegy' hopes to capture Australia's heartfelt response to the victims of the attack.

Duration - c. 14 min
Difficulty - 1st Section/High B Grade 

Purchase 'SIEGE' for AU$200

You might also like...

Never Celt Better

Manchester