The Striving Spirit

The Striving Spirit was commissioned by the New South Wales Parliament to mark the Bicentenary of the NSW Legislative Council.

The premiere performance took place at the Parliament of NSW during the Open House event on 25 August 2024, marking 200 years since the Legislative Council’s first meeting. The work was subsequently performed at the Bicentenary Exhibition Launch on 20 October 2024 (attended by King Charles III) and at the Opening Ceremony of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney in November 2024.

The Striving Spirit is a celebration fanfare for string orchestra and percussion (glockenspiel, suspended cymbals, and tambourine). It is structured around the themes of the Bicentenary event, "Reflect, Celebrate, Imagine", unfolding in a three-part fast-slow-fast form. The opening section is rhythmically driven and energetic, characterised by overlapping melodic lines, bright open-string sonorities, and lively syncopation that create a strong sense of forward motion. This motion reflects the many forms of movement that characterise New South Wales; from bustling cities and sprawling suburbs to vast regional landscapes, migration across long distances, and social, cultural, and political change. The middle section slows and becomes more introspective. Solo passages for glockenspiel, violin, viola, and cello emerge in dialogue, evoking reflection, historical continuity, and the diverse musical traditions that have shaped NSW. The final section returns to the energy of the opening, building momentum toward an uplifting conclusion. The music gestures forward with hope, aiming to inspire imagination and a sense of possibility for the future.

Recorded at Trackdown Studios

Conducted by Elizabeth Scott

Performers are students from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music:

Violin: Andrew Wang, Beverly Kwan, Jennifer Li, Tim Li, Stevie Maston, Nara Lee, Louisa Pang

Viola: Sarah Zhu, Amayah Ryan

Cello: Charlotte He, Ella Bergmeier

Double Bass: Harry Young

Percussion: Grace Lee