Fanfare: Te Papa (brass, percussion)

Te Papa Fanfare was commissioned for the opening of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. This fanfare, composed for four trumpets, four trombones, and four percussionists, resonated throughout the empty halls of Te Papa, marking the beginning of a new era in New Zealand's cultural landscape.

I say 'empty' because it was a totally unique experience in my life-long sequence of first performances. Gathered outside Te Papa were over 20,000 people, eager to see the insides of this immense new cultural icon. The NZSO performers were assembled up high on the walkways above the inside entrance space, faced by Hamish McKeich who was conducting. The moment arrived and the doors were opened. The fanfare started, and the dignitaries entered first. I calculated that the first eight of them heard the piece. It was over by the time they'd ambled to the stairs. Then everyone else was allowed to come in, as the musicians were packing up. It is the biggest audience that never heard my music.

But, it was recorded; and when the music team for the Athens 2004 Olympics were scouring the world's composers, they came across that recording. Of the 600 composers they listed as potential candidates, they thought I'd be a good fit for writing fanfares for the opening and closing ceremonies. Which I ended up doing, and a lot more.