Australia’s oldest and longest-running community band is celebrating living, homegrown, female composers in their concert later this month. The Music She Wrote showcases the talents of our women music makers at Hawker College on Saturday 26 November.

The concert shines a light on Australia’s often-overlooked female composers. Composer and musician Elaine Johnson says while there is now more backlash against overlooking female composers, it remains difficult to make it in the male-dominated sector.

A music teacher at a local college, Johnson has been active in the band for over 15 years, playing trumpet and as a committee member. She says even though she has come and gone through the years, returning to the band is like coming home to family.

For the past 10 years, Johnson has also been composing her own works, with the recently completed piece to be played on 26 November being her first major work. Titled Kangaroo Hill, she was inspired by the mob of kangaroos that live on her property at Bywong. 

“We were still in the drought, then we are on a long cul de sac and I saw that two kangaroos had been hit. Then I saw the tyre tacks; this person has gone out of their way, off the street just to mow down a mother and an older joey.”

The tyre tracks remained for some time; so shocked and upset that someone would purposely harm the creatures, she knew she had to include the story in her upcoming work. She also hopes to shine a light on the intimate family life of kangaroos.

One story is that of Hopadog, who used to come to eat the dog food thrown for the birds. She recalls the roo carrying a beautiful joey in its pouch; after not seeing her for a few weeks, Johnson discovered her body by the dam.

“I wanted to give my Joeyanna the chance to hop, the baritone saxophone player is the joey and learns to hop,” she says.

There is a homage to all the work that wildlife carers do. Johnson is inspired by how they put their whole heart and soul into their work and hopes to do the same with hers.

“I hope people will get that story and see our national symbol in a more positive light.”

Hear The Music She Wrote at Hawker College, 26 November 7pm; canberracityband.com

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