Music / Orchestral / Barra-roddjiba
Barra-roddjíba
for vocalists and orchestra
Co-composed with Rachel Djíbbama Thomas, Rona Lawrence and Jodie Kell of the Ripple Effect Band and Kunibidji elders Joy Garlbin and Lena Djabbiba. Commissioned by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra to be premiered at Barunga Festival on 12 June 2021, and again at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 21 August 2021.
I collaborated on this piece with Ripple Effect long-distance between Maningrida and Melbourne, writing the piece together with them over a period of several months. The central oboe melody of the work represents the Djómi, child-like spirits who inhabit a freshwater spring in Maningrida. This song tells the story of how the Djómi protected Maningrida from Cyclone Monica in 2006, steering the storm away from the community only to find that their own home had been destroyed instead.
This work contains material that is sacred to the Kunibídji people of Maningrida. It has been created in close collaboration with their Elders and Djunguys (cultural caretakers) and may not be performed without the appropriate consultation.