Uluru was composed in 2001. It was commissioned by Mary Ann Craig for performance by the World Honors Euphonium/Tuba Ensemble that she conducted at the 2001 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Lahti, Finland. Uluru is a large geological structure in the middle of Australia’s outback. The Aussies call it Ayer’s Rock, but the official aboriginal name Uluru is considered more appropriate since the Aboriginal people consider it sacred to their heritage. Uluru means “meeting place”, and many Aboriginal Dreaming tracks or “songlines” intersect here. Since the rock itself is an oasis with abundant waterholes and animal life, these “songlines” include stories of magic, mystery, transformation and heroism, just to name a few. Uluru is scored for 4 Euphoniums, 4 tubas and 2 percussionists playing timpani, suspended cymbal, aboriginal drum and instruments (usually wooded wind chimes are used).
Commissioned by
Mary Ann Craig
Awards
The American Prize in Composition 2017 Chamber Music Division Semi Finalist