The Eltham High School community were deeply affected by the Black Saturday bush fires in 2005.

With a strong connection to local composer Taran Carter who was a past student of the school and nearby resident, the school’s music director Mr Rick Plummer approached Taran requesting a composition be made for the senior ensemble. As one of the 50+ members of the Symphonic Band at Eltham High, I was honoured to have performed in the World Premiere of Moondani:Black on the 19th of August 2014.

Not many high school students can say that they have performed such complicated and deeply emotional work, especially in a world premier.

Many of the audience members became very emotional listening to the piece due to Taran’s incredible ability to put emotion into the music, felt during memories of this devastating time. As a performer, creating soundscapes that represent violent wind gusts, chirping birds and raging fire were exhilarating and also very emotional.

With many members of the band having lost family members and their homes in the fires, this piece allowed our ensemble to be vulnerable and work together to create a magical moment in time.

Performing Moondani:Black at the Deakin Edge is a memory I will cherish forever as both a musician and as a member of the bush fire affected community. I believe that Moondani:Black fulfills the words famously quoted by Victor Hugo:

‘Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent’.

Listen to Moondani:Black here: