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Jessica Wells is an Australian composer of great merit.
Since obtaining a Master of Music in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium and a Master of Arts in Screen Composition from AFTRS, her career has blossomed as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger for concerts, films, theatre, and album recordings.
Her concert works range from solo harp through to full symphony orchestra, and she has written music for film and theatre productions.
Jessica Wells is an Australian composer of great merit.
Since obtaining a Master of Music in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium and a
Master of Arts in Screen Composition from AFTRS, her career has
blossomed as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger for concerts, films, theatre, and album recordings.
Her concert works range from solo harp through to full symphony orchestra, and she has written music for film and theatre productions.
WHAT'S ON
The Man from Snowy River in Concert
Adelaide, March 22,23
Brisbane April 20
Perth April 26, 27
Hobart TBA
Melbourne TBA
Sydney Opera House, Southern Cross Symphony.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary year, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will perform the award-winning score by Bruce Rowland live to screen for the World Premiere of this iconic film in concert, with a newly orchestrated score by Jessica Wells.
Zodiac Animalia
Sydney Leichhardt Town Hall, June 22
As part of the “Brahms and Beyond” program, Zodiac Animalia will be performed by Balmain Sinfonia conducted by Monica Buckland.
These are twelve approximately one-minute episodes capturing the personality of each animal.
Kandinsky Blue Painting
For flute, vibraphone, viola & double bass.
Sati and Satya
For multiple instruments.
Perfect for HSC students.
Portrait of Row
On hold music for the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne.
The Night Parrot
A Musical Tale of Hope.
In the Sea’s Giving
Released by Australian Vocal Ensemble.
The Clockmaker
Released by Alicia Crossley.
HUSH
the SURGE
June May-August 2021
Joined by Queensland band Topology In Brisbane and leading guitarists Andrew Blanch and Vladimir Gorbach, Ensemble Offspring reignites two classics from the ’90s by iconic Australian composers Sculthorpe and Westlake alongside five new commissions from Wells, Wilcox and Davidson reflecting on the cultural, climate and political situations Australia finds itself in today.
With original live video by Peachey and Mosig, this will be a multi-layered feast of music, ideas, lessons from the past and – with a little luck – hope for the decade ahead!
https://ensembleoffspring.com/event/the-surge/2021-05-21/
Bass instincts
Alicia Crossley
“Very excited to announce that I am one of the lucky recipients of an Australia Council for the Arts project grant. These funds will go toward the commission of 7 new bass recorder compositions by some of Australia's best female composers, including Anne Elizabeth Boyd, Alice Chance, Holly Harrison, Jessica Wells, Fiona Hill Amanda Cole and Lisa Cheney, for my recording/performance project "Bass Instincts" in 2021.”
https://www.aliciacrossley.com.au/
“The Night Parrot”
Queensland Music Festival
Commissioned by Katie Noonan and the QMF and Bush Heritage Australia, “The Night Parrot” is a 21 minute song cycle performed by soprano Morgan England-Jones and the Acacia String Quartet. With lyrics by Jessica’s father Jeff Wells, the story of the elusive Night Parrot is told with song and narration (bush poetry style) and was accompanied by a stunning video at it’s world premiere in Winton, outback QLD and then in Brisbane in July 2o19.
Stay tuned for a release of the recording by ABC Classics.
“Neptune’s Daughter”
@ RMIT Women in music festival
9 – 10 March 2019
When Monica Curro asked Jessica to create a new film score for the Festival, Jessica headed to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. She found the incredible old silent film, named “Neptune's Daughter” from 1913 starring swimmer, actress and women's advocate Annette Kellerman. Jessica brought new life to Neptune's Daughter, scoring her new piece for PLEXUS (violin, clarinet and piano).
“clouds”
The Australian Voices
“In 2020 The Australian Voices commission 22 (mostly) Australian composers on the theme Far and Near. In response to dark concert halls around the world, we are connecting to composers. Yes, these pieces will be performed one day – we don’t know when.”
“Clouds” is a new work for SATB voices which utilizes the Latin names for clouds.
http://www.theaustralianvoices.com/farandnear
“Zodiac animalia”
TUNE IN, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s newest initiative provides calm, inspiration, and stimulation through a series of videos with Australian composers who discuss their original music – and TSO musicians who discuss the classics.
“Zodiac Animalia” is featured with a video from the composer, a recording of the work to listen to, 10 questions to answer, and a word search of the 12 animals.
https://www.tso.com.au/tune-in/
“Dancing with diaghilev”
Amy dickson & Australian string quartet
AFCM Townsville July 2019
July 2019 saw the world premiere of a new work “Dancing With Diaghilev” at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville. This work for Alto Sax and String Quartet has also been performed by Niels Bijl in Enschede, The Netherlands.
Alicia crossley and acacia quartet
CD “Muse” now available! "Copenhagen Christmas" is a new two-movement work commissioned by Alicia Crossley which was premiered on December 8th 2018 at the Sydney Opera House.
Movement I: Nisse characterizes the tiny Santa-like elves of Danish folklore, and Movement II: Hygge explores the warm feelings of being indoors in candle-light when it’s snowing outside in the European winter.
The piece was recorded at Sydney's Trackdown Scoring Stage and is now available on the “Muse” CD alongside 5 other Australian composers: Lyle Chan, Sally Whitwell, Anne Boyd, Chris Williams and Stephen Yates.
Click here to purchase $24.95 +postage & handling
https://www.aliciacrossley.com.au/discography
Sydney Symphony orchestra: 50 Fanfares
In 2020, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra introduces 50 Fanfares – a multi-season initiative which will see the Sydney Symphony commission and present the world premieres of new music by 50 Australian composers.
https://www.sydneysymphony.com/support-us/donate/50-fanfares#the-composers
Australian vocal ensemble
12 composers commissioned to write works with poetry by David Malouf - November 2020 premiere
This vocal quartet will consist of Artistic Director and Soprano Katie Noonan (Sunshine Coast), Soprano Greta Bradman (Melb), Baritone Teddy Tahu-Rhodes (Melb/Syd) and Tenor Andrew Goodwin (Syd).
https://www.australianvocalensemble.com/
“Rottrollen”
for recorder ensemble
Commissioned by the NSW State Recorder Ensemble, this piece for students of ALL levels of recorder playing has been postponed for performance in 2021. The piece is based on the 1917 John Bauer painting “Rottrollen” or “Root Trolls”.
Rottrollen - John Bauer - 1917
“Seascapes”
for Carillon, Soprano and Electronic Track
Commissioned by the National Capital Authority, the world premiere took place in Barcelona in July 2019. Performed by Lyn Fuller (carillon) and with a backing track featuring operatic soprano Jacqueline Dark, a performance in the USA in 2020 has been postponed due to COVID-19. A recording of the National Carillon will take place once the new bells have been installed in late 2020.
The tracks were mixed by Evan McHugh and can be listened to on Soundcloud with an electronic version of the Carillon (for now)!
“Heartbeat”
Australia Ensemble
September 14, 2019
11 minute work “Heartbeat” for the Australia Ensemble was performed in Sydney in September 2019.
Watch the YouTube video of the premiere here: