I didn’t write one of these last year, so I’m taking the opportunity to write about 2025 now before 2026 is firmly here! While 2024 saw lots of world and regional premieres, 2025’s been a year of writing, consolidation, recording, and mentoring, with many projects coming to fruition in 2026 and beyond! It also marks the first year spent in our new home (and therefore new creative space!).
Snapshot Stats
By my count, there’s been 60 performances across Australia (from Adelaide to Wagga Wagga), Norway, Denmark, and the USA (Athens to Washington) of 19 of my works, plus 1 arrangement. I’ve worked at 6 schools across Sydney, preparing composition students for the HSC, as well as mentoring into 2 of Australia’s most prestigious composition programs (Ensemble Offspring’s Hatched Composer Intensive and Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB).
Highlights at a Glance
Perhaps the biggest news of the year is signing with a publisher. I’m now proudly part of the Wise Music Classical family – you can find out more from the press release in May here. We’re cooking up all sorts of things that I can’t wait to share soon!
Other highlights include:
The world premiere of Hovercraft by theremin superstar Carolina Eyck and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. 10 concerts across Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, including a 5-star review of Hovercraft from Malcom Gillies in Quadrant.
The video release of Swivel & Swerve for soprano sax and piano. Featuring Alice Morgan and Jack Symonds, and commissioned by Ensemble Offspring, watch and listen here.
Hi-Vis featured in Finnish artist Elina Brotherus’ Over Seas Exhibition at Kunstsilo, Norway, 15 March- 15 June.
World premiere of Bubble & Squeak for accordion and string quintet, featuring James Crabb, the Goldner String Quartet, and Andrew Meisel.
Lead mentor for Ensemble Offspring’s Hatched Composer Intensive. Mentored an amazing bunch of composers (Callum O’Reilly, Georgina Bowden, Beth Roche, and Louis Wishart)
Hi-Vis performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Metropolis Festival 2025.
Slipstream featured on tour by the Denmark Chamber Players.
‘Mozart and Harrison’ –my surname featured in the title of a Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert! (concerts including my clarinet and string trio, Spitfire)
New Works
Hovercraft (10ish) for theremin and strings, Carolina Eyck and the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Bee’s Knees (12.5) for guitar duo, Contra Guitar Duo
Monoliths (10) for five harps, Penta Harp Ensemble
BIG THINGS (10.5) for band (grade 4), Purdue University/Lucas Petersen and consortium of 30 bands in the USA/AUS.
Plus, a new version of Jabberwock for Sydney Symphony Orchestra with an additional oboe part!
2025 has been a year of unusual instrumentation, at least for me, and I’ve found this challenge creatively stimulating. There’s been a lot to learn about theremin (!) and I’ve enjoyed a deep dive into the world of harp and guitar. It’s a completely different way of writing for me, and I relish this opportunity for creative problem solving. The theme of unusual instrumentation continues into 2026 with the premiere of a new classical accordion concerto written especially for virtuoso James Crabb!
Looking ahead: 2026
There’s plenty coming up in 2026 – I’m calling it the Year of the Accordion. In fact, I think it’s my biggest year yet. TL;DR:
World premiere of new classical accordion concerto for James Crabb, co-commissioned by the Adelaide, Queensland, Tasmanian, and West Australian Symphony Orchestras. The world premiere is presented by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Ben Northey, 17 & 18 July 2026 at the Adelaide Town Hall, before heading to QSO in Brisbane (September), TSO in Hobart (October), and WASO in Perth (November).
Travelling to Indiana (and beyond!) for the world premiere of BIG THINGS with Purdue University and Lucas Petersen, IN, USA
Additional premieres of Bee’s Knees, Monoliths, and a new work for recorder ensemble
Hellbent (trumpet concerto), Owen Morris and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Hi-Vis, Australian Youth Orchestra at the AYO Summer Music Festival, Adelaide
And Whether Pigs Have Wings, Jessica Aszodi and West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Ben Northey, at Perth Festival
European premiere of Stomp & Slide by the Rouen Normandy Opera Orchestra, conducted by Umberto Clerici
Swoop featured as part of Flinders Quartet season tour
Australian premiere of Fluro Electric by the Partridge String Quartet
POUNCE featured at the Yamaha Australian National Band Championships as Open Premier A Grade Concert Test Piece, 2-5 April
Performances of Jabberwock and Hi-Vis by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Performances of The Mad Hatter’s Tea-Party by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Performances of Hi-Vis, Fizzin’ Fury, and new accordion concerto by Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Performances of Hi-Vis and new accordion concerto by Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Performance of Creature Feature for percussion trio by Claire Edwardes and Canberra Symphony Orchestra percussion
Plus lots more to be announced in the new year! To find out the exact dates, head to my performance page. I update this section regularly each month as I find out about new performances.
An enormous thank you to all the musicians, ensembles, orchestras, and conductors who have played my music this year. Thank you to those who get in touch and ask questions – I love being part of the rehearsal process! Thank you to the teachers and students who have studied my music as part of their HSC course – please get in touch anytime, I love sharing my music!
Until next time, over and out.