Paris Sketches - Martin Ellerby - IWCB

IWCB plays Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby.
This charming suite by English composer Martin Ellerby pays tribute to four contrasting areas of the French capital, with a unifying theme of the bells that toll throughout the city. Ellerby also recognises composers who lived and worked in Paris, quoting some of their famous works during the four movements of this piece.
I. Saint Germain-des-Prés
With the serene opening movement, we awake to the sound of morning bells in this artistic, bohemian sector of Paris on the south side of the Seine River. This part of the city borders the historic Latin Quarter, famous for its associations with academia.
II. Pigalle
Crossing to the north of the Seine, the bells of Pigalle are car horns and police sirens that fill the air in this bustling district. In contrast to the scholarly coffee-house culture of Saint Germain-des-Prés, Pigalle is better known for its night-time economy.
III. Père Lachaise
Just east of the city centre is the vast Père Lachaise Cemetery, established by Napoleon in 1804. You might hear an echo of Erik Satie's Gymnopédies or the Latin funerary chant Dies Irae. The bells chime wistfully in this nostalgic movement.
IV. Les Halles
After the respite of the previous movement, we find ourselves in the busy streets of the market district of Les Halles, at the very centre of Paris. The bell tones are triumphant and celebratory, and the piece closes with a quote from Te Deum by Parisian composer Hector Berlioz.
Our Conductor - Joshua McNulty:
Joshua McNulty is a seasoned conductor, composer, and educator in the Australian music community. As the founder and Musical Director of The FilmHarmonia Orchestra and the Musical Director of the Inner West Community Band, he has significantly fostered musical excellence. He has also led ensembles like the Macquarie University Symphony Orchestra, the Canaria Scoring Orchestra, the Wellington Players, and the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra.
An accomplished reed player now exploring brass instruments, Joshua brings versatility to his music-making. He directs numerous school bands across Sydney and tutors aspiring musicians. His passion for narrative-driven music is evident in his compositions, premiered by both The FilmHarmonia Orchestra and the Inner West Community Band.
A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium under Dr. John Lynch and Dr. Anthony Clarke, Joshua continues to advance the Australian wind band community through his leadership and contributions.
Our Band:
Flute
Milia Cavallaro*
Lauren Ziegler
Rebecca Thomas
Jasmine Gilligan
Anna Ward
Piccolo
Rebecca Thomas
Oboe
Greg Knight
Hannah Kovilpillai
Bassoon
Jaslyn Nash
Sam Herriman
Percussion
Andrea Leong*
Ryan Mestric*
Kate Wilson
Clarinet
Simon Parker
Briony Bowman*
Danielle Keogh
Helene Pino
Amanda Sapienza
Daniela Bantle
Harry He
Sandra Mackay
Ashleigh Finn
Nathalie King
Hisashi Nakahara
Amelie Nemes
Bass Clarinet
Richard Price
Eloise Kershler
Alto Saxophone
Adele Sutton
Eliza Harvey
Jordon Blanket
Roxanne Macara
Emma Korell
Tenor Saxophone
Mick Elderfield
Eamon Byrne
Trumpet
Adam Griffiths*
Micah Napier
Rachael Hughes
Henry Egan
Kate Wilson
Danika Pink
French Horn
Adrian Barnes
Jennifer Gunn
Michael Neil
Trombone
Conor Bratty
Emma Dortins
Angus Blake
Harry Goldman
Vicki Sifniotis
Euphonium
David Crawford
Tuba
Sebastian Djayasukmana
Dominic Lukin
Brendon Lukin
Piano
Helene Pino
Conductor:
Joshua McNulty