Evoking a sense of defiance against the inevitable passage of time, A Library of Extraordinary Things seeks to celebrate the small pleasures and beauty found in the everyday.

A Library of
Extraordinary
Things

Developed in collaboration with choreographer Miranda Wheen and dancers from Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year, this composition grew from studio meetings, rehearsal videos, and visual references to Margaret Olley’s still life paintings.

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01. Awards

Finalist 2025
APRA Australian Music Awards
‘Work of the Year Dramatic’

02. Film Notes

Choreography: Miranda Wheen in collaboration with the performers
Composer: Fiona Hill
Lighting Design: Karen Norris
Costume Design and Supervisor: Harriet Ayers
Cast: PPY2 Full Company

Composition Notes

Downloads

Chan eil mi gun mhulad orm
PPY24 Revealed Program

ARTICLE
Waulking and waulking songs from the Outer Hebrides – Af Jane Brewer

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Media

Broadsheet Article

Created primarily in Digital Performer , the music explores themes of women’s work and celebration of life despite hardship. A traditional Scots clapping song, “Chan eil mi gun mhulad orm” (“I am not unsorrowful”), forms the foundation of the powerful finale — its rhythmic knocking evolving into a percussive build before the song’s full entry.

Musical References & Sound Design

The opening “crossing” section layers historical and newly composed fragments:

  • Bach, Prelude in A minor – performed by Fiona Hill

  • Chan eil mi gun mhulad orm (Trad.) – vocals by Fiona McVicar

  • Sappho fragments – performed by Lucy Miller

  • Field recordings – birds, trains, knitting, bees, loom etc by Fiona Hill

All additional music and sound design were composed and recorded by Fiona Hill.

Recording & Structure

Live elements were recorded in-studio by Fiona Hill (engineering) with:

  • Fiona McVicar – violin & vocals

  • Lucy Miller – spoken word

The 17-minute work comprises six key sections: Crossing, Solo, Waltz, Still Life, Melding, and Finale.

Final Production & Premiere

Final mix by Bob Scott. Delivered as stereo playback for Sydney Dance Company PPY’s performance at Riverside Theatres Parramatta, 30 Nov 2024, with a second performance the following night.