Score
Syrup and Silicone : for choir/chamber choir (SSAATTBB) and piano / Robert McIntyre.
Library shelf no. 782.5542/MCI 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Syrup and Silicone is centred on the narrative of internal standards within the queer community - reflecting on past experiences of being told "you're not gay enough", "you're not really gay" and so on.
The queer community is a such a beautiful, vibrant one with so many diverse people - like a rich, sweet syrup. Yet, what has also been fostered within is internal marginalisation and a certain adhesive, plastic fakeness - like silicone.
The work is highly personal and aims to call into question the irony of such an accepting community that concurrently can create such a sense and need to still conform to a set of criteria, instead of thriving in our individuality.
For me, my sexuality as a gay man is a part of my identity, but by no means my whole identity and I believe it is paramount to let anyone within the queer community freely determine that themselves.
The work sets commissioned poetry for this project by Naarm (Melbourne, AUS) based artist, writer and theatre practitioner Savanna Wegman, a close colleague and friend.
Work Details
Year: 2020
Instrumentation: SSAATTBB chamber choir (at least 2 part divisi), piano.
Duration: 5 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Commission note: Commissioned by Compose Queer Initiative, Divisi Chamber Singers.. Commissioned by Divisi Chamber Singers, Compose Queer Initiative. Commissioned by Divisi Chamber Singers in 2020 as part of the inaugural Compose Queer Initiative.
First performance: by Divisi Chamber Singers, Coady Green — 26 Feb 21. 75 Reid Street, Fitzroy North, VIC, 3068, Australia.
Compose Queer is an initiative to empower young queer composers. We have sourced four composers, providing them with a paid opportunity to compose for Divisi Chamber Singers and Sally Whitwell. At the heart of this project is the composers. We have provided an opportunity to write in a professional context, working with one of Australia’s leading musicians and a live ensemble. While there is a thriving amateur queer music scene of community organisations and hobby musicians, there is limited opportunity for composers to express their queerness at a professional level. Our project has two goals. Firstly, to do just that, commission four composers with an opportunity to be as queer as they desire and express it without the restrictions that often limit amateur composers in commercial briefs. Secondly, to raise awareness of queer issues in classical music to the broader community.
Performances of this work
12 Mar 23: fortyfivedownstairs theatre, Melbourne, VIC
19 Mar 22: The MC Showroom, 48 Clifton Street, #L1 Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia,. Featuring Coady Green, Divisi Chamber Singers.
18 Mar 22: The MC Showroom, 48 Clifton Street, #L1 Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia,. Featuring Coady Green, Divisi Chamber Singers.
26 Feb 21: 75 Reid Street, Fitzroy North, VIC, 3068, Australia.. Featuring Divisi Chamber Singers, Coady Green.
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