TAKE FLIGHT
Tallis Room
3:15pm - 3:45pm, Saturday 28 July, 2018

ENSEMBLE - MERISM DUO (Australia + Singapore)

Merism Duo takes the audience on a musical voyage between Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The music is drawn together by an underlying theme of flight, linked further by the representation of birds and the composers' personal reflection of their respective regions. Kezia Yap's "The Plains-Wanderer" explores Australian landscapes and culture, and the strong sense of wanderlust many Australians carry. Jay Ong's "Transit Sketches III" is the third in a series of works evoking Singaporean culture. Jinjun Lee's "Chasing" explores the interplay of the two saxophone's in a playful, bird-like chase. Michael Jamieson's "Nga Manu" depicts four typical native New Zealand birds and their habitats. Kea - a large, curious and sometimes destructive parrot found in the mountain ranges; Tui – the songbird whose beautiful virtuosic melodies are interrupted with deep, guttural groans; Ruru - the tiny owl who inhabits the nocturnal landscape; and the cheeky, acrobatic Piwakawaka. (147words)

Program:

Kezia Yap (b. Australia, 1993 - )
The Plains-Wanderer (2018) 9'  *Australian Premiere*

Jay Ong (b. Singapore, 1995 - )
Transit Sketches III for saxophone duo (2018) 4.5' *Australian Premiere*

Michael Jamieson (b. Australia, 1981 - )
Nga Manu "Bird Song Suite" for two soprano saxophones (2006) 6'

I. Kea
II. Tui
III. Ruru|
IV. Piwakawaka

Jinjun Lee (b. Singapore, 1990 - )
Chasing  (2018) 4' *Australian Premiere*

MERISM DUO
Merism Duo was co-founded by saxophonists Michellina Chan and Mary Osborn. The duo was conceptualized in 2017 at the 5th Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition in Thailand. Both of them finished their BMus in Australia (Melbourne Conservatorium of Music – University of Melbourne and Sydney Conservatorium of Music – University of Sydney respectively) before moving to France to further their studies. What they have in common is their dedication to working with composers in their region to create new works for the saxophone. Combining their strengths, they will be premiering pieces from their local composers, Jay Ong, Jinjun Lee and Kezia Yap for the upcoming World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia. Michellina is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Arno Bornkamp and Mary is studying at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Versailles with Vincent David. (141words)