HARRISON: Hi-Vis for Orchestra (composed 2020, revised 2021)

Hi-Vis, for Orchestra (2020)

Duration ca. 10 mins

2[1.pic]2[1.2/EH]2[1.2/Bcl]2[1.Cbn] – 4231 – tmp+2 – hp – str[8.6.5.4.3]
[Whip/slapstick, small bass drum, hi-hat, ratchet, sports whistle, train whistle, 2 x woodblocks, vibraslap, egg shaker/maraca, tambourine, snare drum, splash and crash cymbal, triangle, 2 x toms]

Was commissioned as part of Holly’s Australian Composers’ School (ACS) residency with the TSO and was recorded by the TSO in February 2022.
Hi-Vis is inspired by night roadworks. For the majority of 2020 (and beyond!), major roadworks took place outside my Western Sydney home from 9am to 4am each night: flickering lights, continuous drilling, humming, reversing, beeping, and grinding. Yet, amid the lockdown times, I found the rhythms of machinery strangely comforting and exciting, and a gentle reminder of the existence of other people!
Hi-Vis is a re-imagining of these sights and sounds, but also a celebration of all things hi-vis, musical and otherwise. Think fluorescent, luminescent and neon colours, LED traffic batons, and, of course, workers in hi-vis vests. I began to imagine what road workers might be listening to, and how the contrast between the strobing lights and dark sky conjured up an almost nightclub-like environment. The piece loosely draws on ‘hi-vis’ elements of electronic dance music, brass fanfares, boot-scooting, and disco, all filtered through the constant on-and-off of earmuffs.
The world premiere was given by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eivind Aadland in the Federation Concert Hall, Hobart on 11th March 2022.

Digital Score available for purchase
Parts available for hire, please email tsohouse@tso.com.au for more info and pricing.