Rosalind Carlson

The Newcastle Flyer

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Choral

"The Newcastle Flyer" - S.A.T.B.  and S.S.A.A.  with piano accompaniment.  (2001) - duration approx. 3:40 minutes

The Newcastle Flyer (3801) was a famous express passenger steam train which ran between Sydney and Newcastle (Australia) on the main northern coastal rail track.  It first went into service in 1943.

The title "Flyer" is in reference to the speeds it gathered - which were in excess of some 70 miles per hour.

As a child, Rosalind Carlson travelled regularly in her school holidays on the Newcastle Flyer, to visit an aunt in Newcastle.  So from 1946 onwards the composer has wonderful memories of these train trips.

Rosalind received a commission to write a song for the Hunter Singers - a talented S.A.T.B. Youth choir from the Newcastle Region (Newcastle is situated near the Hunter Valley).  She decided a "train song" would be appropriate for this choir.

In 2002 the composer wrote an S.S.A.A. setting of this song.

Musical Features:  The song has some interesting features including the bank of train horns sound, and the "clickity clack" figure on the rail track.

World Premiere Performance:  Newcastle Conservatorium of Music on 20th May 2001 by the Hunter Singers.

Suitability:  Secondary level school choirs, Youth choirs, Community choirs at a good level of performance.

Availability:  Sheet Music S.A.T.B. and S.S.A.A. available from Flexi-Fingers.  See order form.

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