<b><i>Storm Chasers</i></b>, concerto for timpani and wind ensemble by Catherine Likhuta

<p dir="ltr">Storm Chasers is a concerto for timpani and wind symphony, written by Catherine Likhuta in close collaboration with percussionist Brent Miller. It was commissioned by an international consortium led by the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Nicholas Williams. This marks the second timpani concerto ever written by an Australian composer, and the first by a female composer.</p><p dir="ltr">The world premiere performance was given by Nicholas Williams (conductor), Brent Miller (soloist) and the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony at the Elizabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Sunday 28th May 2023.</p><p dir="ltr">Consortium members institutions include Ithaca College (Dr. Daniel Cook); New Mexico State University (Dr. Michael Mapp); Oregon State University (Dr. Erik Kar Jun Leung); Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (Prof. Peter Morris); San Jose State University (Dr. David Vickerman); University of Georgia (Prof. Nicholas Williams); University of North Carolina Wilmington (A/Prof. Dominic Talanca); University of North Texas (Prof. Eugene Corporon & Prof. Andrew Trachsel); University of Northern Colorado (A/Prof. Wesley Broadnax); University of Tennessee (Dr. John Zastoupil); Queensland Youth Orchestras (Prof. Rob McWilliams); Brooklyn Wind Symphony (Jeff Ball); Diablo Valley College (Daniel Cook);</p><p dir="ltr">Notes from the composer, Dr. Catherine Likhuta, are as follows:</p><p dir="ltr">The piece features extensive interaction between the soloist and the percussion section.</p><p dir="ltr">A quiet tremolo on timpani resembles an ominous roll of thunder somewhere in the distance. The idea of storm chasers came to me during the Australian summer of 2021/22, when we had a rather turbulent storm season in my home state of Queensland. Many people, including myself, relied on our local storm chasers for information about the upcoming weather patterns. It felt as if they were always just one step ahead of the next weather event, which enabled them to bring communities some confidence and reassurance. </p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">The piece is written in three movements:</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">1. Supercell</p><p dir="ltr">2. Bittersweet</p><p dir="ltr">3. Early Warning System</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">Each movement tells its own story about the many faces of weather, both wild and calm.</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">1. Supercell is the least common type of thunderstorm. It may impact weather in a wide area (tens of kilometres), often lasting for hours. While they are commonly associated with the North American tornado alley, supercells can develop in Queensland frequently during the storm season, when the conditions are right. I see supercells as Nature’s ultimate showcase of violence, power and dominance over humans. The music in this movement is nervous and, at times, ominous.</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">2. “Bittersweet” is inspired by the devastating floods that took place in Queensland and New South Wales in 2021–2022. This movement reflects on the heartbreaking losses, tremendous community effort to rebuild and support each other, and in the background of the tragedy, the healing of Nature from the preceding drought. The spirit of community is highlighted by two members of the percussion section, who join the soloist by playing on the outer parts of the heads of the soloist's timpani.</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">3. “Early Warning System” depicts the spirit of those who chase storms trying to predict and understand the weather. They are ambitious, energetic, adventurous, bold and brave people, who play an adrenaline-charged game in order to learn from Nature and to outsmart her, even if briefly.</p>