Recording the next generation of Australian wind band music — for everyone

Australian Sounds is an initiative of the Castle Hill Wind Orchestras to record newly commissioned and existing Australian wind band repertoire, and release it freely for any band to use as a reference.

New Australian works first exist as computer-generated MIDI mock-ups — a poor substitute for hearing how a piece actually sounds with a full ensemble. That gap makes conductors hesitant to program new Australian music, and makes it harder for these works to even be considered as competition set pieces in the first place. Australian Sounds exists to close that gap: professional, ensemble-recorded references that let composers' work be heard properly, and let bands across Australia prepare with confidence.

Why it matters

For composers — a professional recording gives your work real presence: something conductors, panels, and audiences can actually hear, not just read on a page.

For bands — free, high-quality reference recordings of contemporary Australian repertoire, ready to use for programming and rehearsal preparation.

For the wider band community — more Australian music entering the competition and concert repertoire, and a growing, freely accessible library of recordings.

2022 - Australian Sounds – A Showcase of Australian Composers

The inaugural Australian Sounds was presented as a concert that was also live streamed in real time, showcasing exceptional large-scale compositions of nine Australian Composers. Recorded live at Knox Grammar School's Wenkart Theatre, our first cycle brought three brand-new works to the stage as world premieres:

  • Beyond the Lucent Portal — Jack Hwang

  • Primal — Jared McCunnie

  • Symphony #1 – H2O — Matt Klohs

It was our first attempt at bringing professional recording to new Australian repertoire — and the response from composers and bands alike told us we were onto something worth continuing.

Watch the full digital catalogue for Australian Sounds 2022 here.

 

2023 — A Celebration of Australian Publishers

The following year saw our Australian Sounds 2023 Project expand in taking on a different format in attracting a broader reach by focussing a spotlight on music graded 0.5-3.0, written for young and developing bands. Featuring recordings of 21 Australian compositions and/or arrangements, Australian Sounds 2023 aims to inspire musicians across all areas of education and experience, whilst providing an invaluable professional resource, which may be accessed and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of music students, musicians, young and developing bands, and their conductors well into the future.

  • Thorp Music — 8 original compositions and arrangements

  • Tim Ferrier Music — 6 original compositions

  • Matt Klohs Music — 7 original compositions

 
 
 

2025 — New Compositions & Youthful Voices

Australian Sounds 2025 showcased 16 new Australian works from 12 composers, whilst also introducing some of our newest & brightest composers though our new chapter ‘Youthful Voices’.

Our third endeavour brought together seven works spanning Grades 2.5 to 5 — from concert openers to challenging showcase pieces:

  • Rising From The Ashes: An Australian Elegy — Alan Lourens (Grade 2.5)

  • Abide With Me — Monk, arr. Mark Ford (Grade 3.5)

  • The Dark Ages — Mark Ford (Grade 3–3.5)

  • A Call For Celebration — Jack Raudys (Grade 2.5)*

  • Vita Brevis (Life Is Short) — Matt Klohs (Grade 4)

  • A Most Phantastic Journey — Kara Williams (Grade 4)

  • In Darkness & Night — Daniel Dinh (Grade 5)

    *youthful voices

 
 

See the 2025 Australian Sounds Youth Wind Orchestra catalogue here.