Floating Boat Music, Noise Orchestra and the ‘4pm Moment’, Canberra Centenary 2013
Floating Boat Music
In March 2013, I took on multiple roles for the Canberra Centenary celebrations—curator, composer, workshop leader, conductor, and production manager. Director Robyn Archer tasked me with creating a roving music program. After several site visits, I suggested floating music around the lake to entertain the crowds. Amplification was done via horn PA systems or handheld megaphones, with some boats being purely acoustic. The lineup included Latin, Jazz, Gypsy, and Funk bands, accordionists, singers, drummers, and performance artists. Over 112 artists performed 11 hours of floating musical entertainment on 10 boats, with departures every 10 minutes. The horn-focused sound created a lush sweet spot for the audience, especially when boats drifted to play in front of the longest champagne bar in the world, creating a magical ambience.
Pictures by Hazel Palmer
Noise Orchestra
We sourced materials from the Tip Shop to create a Noise Orchestra. Following a morning workshop, Noise Orchestra performed with Canberra City Brass in a parade for the ‘4pm Moment.’
The ‘4pm Moment’
As 4pm approached, boats gathered, and a large outdoor ensemble assembled featuring the Arawang Children’s Choir, Canberra City Band, Canberra Brass, soprano Pamela Andrews, didjeridu virtuoso William Barton, and Highland Piper Athol Chambers. Huge letters spelling ‘Welcome to Country’ were raised as I conducted my atmospheric ‘4pm’ piece. The Noise Orchestra then joined the brass band in a parade around the Lake.
Dear Graeme,
Geoff Cobham,
You did a mighty job! Your creative input to the event was fabtastic and your patient calm approach to your work was much appreciated. I loved all the boat music. We would be mad to do an event without you!!
I look forward to working with you again soon.
Best Wishes,
Event Director, Centenary Birthday Celebration, 12 March 2013
Explore more deeply…
Here is the full program detailing all of the artists that performed on the day, along with their biographies. Some mobile devices may not read the PDF, but you can download it to view.