Composition Notes
As the deadline for entries in the 1996 Canada Music Week Composition Competition drew near, I set to work on a new composition for piano. My composition teacher had suggested that I enter my first string quartet, but a performance of that work would not be possible for the Canada Music Week concert. Consequently, I decided to quickly compose a piece that I would perform myself at the concert. Starting on October 18, 1996 I composed during my spare time, finishing the work on the 21st. I then entered both my string quartet and the new piano piece (which I originally titled “Evocation”) in the competition. The day I completed this composition, my piano was being tuned. Once the piano tuner had finished, I sat down and performed the piece for him, and he remarked, “It sent shivers up my spine the whole way through!” The piece was later awarded 1st Prize [Age 16-17] in the 1996 Canada Music Week Composition Competition (BCRMTA – Victoria Branch).
28 years later, I found the original manuscript for this piece and decided to make a brand new arrangement for large orchestra. I also chose to rename the composition as “Oak Island” after completing the new arrangement, as the music had a mysterious quality that made me think of the search for hidden treasure on Newfoundland’s famous Oak Island.
Instrumentation
- Piccolo
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- 2 Bb Clarinets
- 2 Bassoons
- 4 Horns in F
- 3 Bb Trumpets
- 2 Tenor Trombones
- Bass Trombone
- Tuba
- Timpani
- Triangle
- Tambourine
- Large Gong
- Xylophone
- Celesta
- Harp
- 1st Violins
- 2nd Violins
- Violas
- Violoncellos
- Double Basses
