Compose Queer is an initiative to bring queer storytelling into the classical music canon. We commission queer-identifying composers to write stories that relate to their experiences and bring these stories to community. Initially starting with 4 commissions, we have now commissioned 16 works under this banner.
History of Compose Queer
The idea first came together in 2019, we had a few singers and a rehearsal venue and not much else, let alone any money. We first spoke to Sally Whitwell, she helped us refine our ideas and lent her considerable expertise as a composer and community centre to the project.
Bailey and I started raising Money on AC to pay these composers for their work. This was an unprecedented success, we got the show on the road, put some applications out, and found our initial composers: Ariel Bonnell, Lore Burns, Rob McIntyre, and Meta Cohen.
The first workshop took place in March 2020, and after many delays due to COVID, the first concert was in February 2021 – a sell out at 75 Reid St. The concert and the commissions were an amazing success. They helped us form our identity as an ensemble and has given us a drive to keep commissioning and reliving this project as much as possible.
Spectrum Release
In 2022 we received funding from Creative Victoria to restart our Arts Practice post-COVID. This amazing boost allowed us to record Spectrum, our debut album. Receiving four stars from Tony Way at Limelight, we were immensely proud of its achievement. It was named after Sally’s song cycle which starts the album, a set of songs each inspired by a colour of the rainbow. We believe this was the fist ever album off only queer classical music in Australia. Most works on the Album have gone on to significant re-performances and tours overseas. You can support us by securing your own copy!
Compose Queer x Queerstories
Our next iteration was of a much larger scale, a collaboration with Maeve Marsiden. Twelve queer composers drew inspiration from twelve queer writers to produce an anthology of completely new work.
With compositions by Sia Ahmad, Lucy Blomfield, Gabi Cadenhead, Connor D’Netto, Olivia Diamant, Leila Harris, Lillian Hearne, Cameron Lam, Caerwen Martin, James Rushford, Alex Turley and Sally Whitwell.
Drawing inspiration from stories by Liz Duck-Chong, Teddy Dunn, HANDSOME, Dmetri Kakmi, Paul Kidd, Fiona Kelly McGregor, Tommy Misa, Bastian Fox Phelan, Fletcher Quilty and Omar Sakr.
The show received excellent reviews, noting the coherence of this as a singular musical output, the composers, and the singing.
Commissioned works
Are you the New Person Drawn Towards Me – Ariel Bonnell, 2020
Here Is a Safe Place – Lore Burns, 2020
Syrup and Silicone – Robert McIntyre and Savanna Wegman (text), 2020
(I)dentity – Meta Cohen, 2020
*This Story – Lillian M. Hearne, Liz Duck-Chong, 2024
*How I Got Laid At My Boyfriends Funeral – Caerwen Martin, Paul Kidd, 2024
*To See, And Be Seen – Cameron Lam, Fletcher Quilty, 2024
*A History of Suits, VI. Birthday Suit – Alex Turley, Teddy Dunn, 2024
*Honeymoon Phase – Sia Ahmad, Omar Sakr, 2024
*Love You, I Do – Lucy Blomfield, Joe Levitt, 2024
*Your Grief Is My Grief – Gabi Cadenhead, Tommy Misa, 2024
*Stove Photography – Connor D’Netto, Bastian Fox Phelan, 2024
*I Would Rather Be – James Rushford, Dmetri Kakmi, 2024
*Of Porn, Parties, and The Perils of Censorship – Sally Whitwell, Fiona McGregor, 2024
*Mind Explosions of Memories – Olivia Diamant, HANDSOME
*Commissioned alongside Maeve Marsiden’s Queerstories with support from City of Melbourne, Creative Australia, APRA-AMCOS, and Wear it Purple Day
