The Music of Sean O'Boyle

Born in 1963 in Hexham in the North of England to Irish parents, Sean O'Boyle immigrated to Australia at a young age. He now enjoys a reputation, as one of Australia's most versatile composers and conductors. Many orchestras have performed the works of Sean O'Boyle across the world, including the Dallas and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras in the USA and the major orchestras of Australia.

Sean has a particular interest in bringing orchestral music to the very young, and a significant part of his compositional output is aimed at children. He is the Music Director for the Educational Chamber Orchestra KAZOO. In 2000 Sean was the recipient of the ABC Golden Manuscript Award for excellence in composition, won 2 award categories at the Queensland Perform Awards for the Arts and has been admitted as a Fellow in the Australian Society of Composers and Musicologists.


Original Compositions

OLYMPIA AUSTRALIS

by Sean O'Boyle
Description The theme commissioned for the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2002 Commonwealth Games for the Australian Broadcasting Company and now used as their "official" broadcast theme for all Olympics coverage. A truly inspiring work and real audience pleaser... with or without didgereedo!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2+B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - 3 perc, hp & strs + ad lib didgereedo
Duration:1:50
Cost:$150 Rental Only.

RIVER SYMPHONY

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: A fantastic tone poem of a river, it's waters, twists, turns, and moods. Perfect for pops, youth/educational, or subscription concerts with a "water" theme.
Instrumentation:3[3dPicc]/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, 3 perc. hp and strings
Duration:11:30
Cost:$250 Rental Only.

RIVER SYMPHONY FANFARE

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: A short version of the above.
Instrumentation:3[3dPicc]/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, 3 perc. hp and strings
Duration:4:30
Cost:$150 Rental Only

ALADDIN

by Sean O'Boyle
 
Description: From the tales of 1001 nights comes the story of Aladdin, The Market, The Princess, The Magician and of course, The Genie! this music is drawn from the full length Ballet composed and premiered in 2005. The perfect compliment to Scheherazade! Now in it's SECOND season of performances by the Queensland Ballet.
Suite Options:

  • Ballet Suite #1

    Instrumentation: 2(2nd d picc)/1+EHn/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 timp, 2 perc (xylo, marimba, glock, vibes, tam tam, susp cym, cymbal, 2 small gongs, triangle, wind chimes), harp, strings.
    Duration: 10:10
    Cost: $200 Rental Only.

  • Ballet Suite #2

    Instrumentation: 2(2nd d picc)/1+EHn/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 timp, 2 perc [xylo, marimba, glock, tambourine, vibes, tam tam, susp cym, cymbals, 2 small gongs, 2 small bells, triangle, wind chimes] harp, strings.
    Duration: 20:40
    Cost: $350 Rental Only.
Note:Ballet Suite #2 contains all the music included in Ballet Suite #1.

CONCERTO FOR DIDGERIDOO & ORCHESTRA

with William Barton
 
Description: Each movement has distinctive rhythmic features, some of which were transcribed from WilliamÕs original musical sketches and is each devoted to one of the 4 elements: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire.
Individual Movements:

  1. EARTH

  2. WIND

  3. WATER

  4. FIRE
Instrumentation:2+Picc/2+EHn/2+BCl/2+Cbn - 4/3/3/1 - timp + 3 perc, harp, strings & Didgeridoo solo.
Duration:approximately 19 minutes.
Cost:$275 Rental only.

WALTZ OF MADNESS

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: Show off your string section with this wonderful, madcap romp in 3/4 time. Perfect for Halloween, or a youth concert devoted to musical "feelings".
Instrumentation:Strings and optional timpani[4].
Duration:3:05
Cost:$100 Rental Only.

THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: Beatrix Potter's charming story of a greedy little rabbit and his brush with danger now set to music. A wonderful alternative to Peter and the Wolf appropriate for any youth or family concert.
Instrumentation:NARRATOR, 1+picc/2/1+BCl/2 - 4/3/3/1, Timp, triangle and Strings. Can be played by: 2/2/2/2 - 2/2/1/0 - triangle and strings.
Duration:8:05
Cost:$200 Rental Only.

CELTIC SUITE for Violin & Orchestra

by Sean O'Boyle
 
Description: Let your concertmaster shine in this delightful work drawn from Sean's CD "Ulleann Sunrise." Great for any subscription or pops concert with a Celtic bent.
Individual Movements:

  1. SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR

    Note: This movement is also available in a scoring for strings and harp only.

  2. MOLLY

  3. BEAUTY IN TEARS

  4. CELTIC DANCE
Instumentation:2+picc/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, 2 perc. hp and strs + solo violin.
Duration:14 minutes
Cost:$250 Rental Only. Individual movements are available at $100 each.
Notes:This work has been recorded by Sean O'Boyle and The State Orchestra Of Victoria for ABC Classics.

COUNTRY KAZOO OVERTURE

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: Written for KAZOOS and orchestra, this work was written as an overture for the Queensland Orchestra Kiddies Cushion Conerts, but works equally well as a delightful surprise at any pops concert.
Instrumentation:1+picc/2/2/2 - 4/2/3/1 - Timp, 2 perc, hp & strs
Duration:2:00
Cost:$125 Rental Only.

SILENT MOVIE MUSIC

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: Written to capture the feel of the frantic soundscapes of the silent movie era. You can almost see the Keystone Cops!
Instrumentation:1+picc/2/2(2d B Cl)/2 - 4/3/3/1 - 1 perc, 2 xylos, hp, and strs
Duration:2:25
Cost:$125 Rental Only.

"RAGTIME"

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: Written as a slapstick Overture to capture the Roaring Twenties. This work might have been a soundtrack for a Charlie Chaplin film.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2+Ehrn/2+BCl/2+Cbn - 4/3/3/1, Traps, 1 perc, 2 Xylos, hp, and Strs
Duration:1:30
Cost:$125 Rental only.

BAILE CHRUIACH (Bally Croy)

by Sean O'Boyle
Description: From the Celtic legend of Grainne Ni Mhaille, an Irish noblewoman, chieftan, and a bit of a pirate. This work is from a score for an imaginary film which tells of the sea, the call of battle trumpets, exploits against the Spanish Armada, a love theme, and finally, a triumphant fanfare ending. Great for St. Patrick's day, children's concerts, subscription or pops concerts with legends, battle, or folklore themes.
Instumentation:3/3/3/3 - 4/3(+2 offstage)3/1 - Timp, 2 perc, hp and strs
Duration:5:50
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Notes:This work has been recorded by Sean O'Boyle & The State Orchestra Of Victoria for ABC Classics.

Snapshot Concertos

NOW AVAILABLE for your youth/educational concerts

Just add your own narration, soloist and orchestra and you've got the makings of a terrific children's introduction to the orchestra with today's youngsters in mind.

Concertos are $30 each, any 6 for $150, any 12 for $250, or all 17 for $350. RENTAL ONLY

Add $50 to include Robert Wendel's "Parade Of The Percussionists" to make a complete Young People's Concert!

Flipperdiperus - A Flute Concerto


Solo flute, 1+opt2nd/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - timp, 2 perc, hp and strs.

A Quiet Place - An Oboe Concerto


Solo oboe, 0/0/0/0 - 0/0/0/0 - 0 - hp and strs.

The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow - An English Horn Concerto


Solo English Horn, 2/1/1+BCl/2 ­ 0/0/0/0 - 0 -, hp and strs.

Licorice Noodles - A Clarinet Concerto


Solo clarinet, 2+picc/2+EH/1+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - timp, 2 perc, hp and strs

Bassett Hound - A Bass Clarinet Concerto


Solo Bass clarinet, 2/2/0/0 - 4/3/3/0 - vibes, 1 perc, hp and strs

A Bundle of Sticks - A Bassoon Concerto


Bassoon, 2/1/2/0 - 2/1/0/0 - 1 perc and strs

The Big Broomstick- A Contrabassoon Concerto


Solo Contrabassoon, 2/1+EH/2/2 - 4/3/3/0 - timp, 2 perc, hp and strs.

Curly Bits - A French Horn Concerto


4 horn soli, 3/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - (0)/3/3/1 - Timp, 2 perc, hp and strs

Lonesome Prarie - A Trumpet Concerto


Solo Trumpet, 3/2/2+BCl/2 - 4/0/3/0 - 2 perc, hp and strs.

Buy, Swap, or Sell - A Trombone Concerto


Solo trombone, 1+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/0/1 - timp, 1 perc, hp and strs.

Tuba Toothpaste - A Tuba Concerto


Solo tuba, 2+picc/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/[0] - timp, 2perc, hp and strs.

Gallopin Goanna - A Xylophone Concerto


Solo xylophone, 3/2+EH/2+BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - timp, 2perc, hp and strs.

Pale Moonlight - A Harp Concerto


Solo harp, 2/1+EH/1+BCl/0 ­ 0/0/0/0 ­ 0-, 2 perc, hp and strs.

Tumble Weeds At 10 Paces - A Violin Concerto


Solo violin, 2+picc/2+EH/2+BCl/2+BCl ­ 4/3/3/1 - timp, 2perc, and strs.

Dueling Fiddles - Violin Duet for 2 Violins


2 2 solo violins, 1/1/2+BCl/1 - 4/2/2/1 - 2 perc, violas, celli and bassi

The Song Bird - A Viola Concerto


Solo viola, 2/2/0/0/ - 0/0/0/0 - 0, 1 perc, and strs.

Changing Seasons - A Cello Concerto


Solo cello, 2/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp, 2 perc, hp and strs.

Quando Quando Basso - A Bass Concerto


Solo contrabass, 1+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp, 2 perc, hp and strs.

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