CONCERT BAND - WIND ENSEMBLE
Joint winner (section 3 wind ensemble) Australian Inclusive Composition Competition 2023
SAPPHIRE - GRADE 5
Steeped in symbolism, the sapphire has been revered around the world for centuries for its stunning celestial and aquatic hues. Only second in hardness to the diamond, the sapphire is brutally forged by the earth, hewn from rock, and abraded into a smooth, sparkling, multi-faceted gemstone that exudes mystique, sophistication, and allure. Available from mattklohs.com.
AQUATICUS [Odyssey of the Sea Turtle] - GRADE 5
This evocative work for symphonic wind ensemble (with piano) takes players and audiences on a journey through wonders and perils of the aquatic landscape though the eyes of a sea turtle. One of a bale of hatchlings hurtling en masse down to the water’s edge, our turtle finally returns to its birthplace: a solitary and experience-weary adult engendering a new generation of tiny beach warriors to set off on their own odysseys. Available from mattklohs.com.
Premiere by the Royal Australian Navy Band at Sydney Conservatorium Verbruggen Hall conducted by LCDR Andrew Stokes
OVERTURE TO AN ENDLESS SUMMER - GRADE 4
This joyful and very popular work evokes childhood excitement of packing to go away, driving over that specific hill during the journey where the first glimpse of ocean headed for could be seen, the smell of the seaweed, feeling the ocean breeze, and knowing I would feel the sand between my toes soon enough... of course there were things I would miss while we were away, but for me nothing could compare to our holiday destination. Available from mattklohs.com.
POSTCARDS FROM BIG THINGS (NSW) - GRADE 4
Now estimated at over 600 in number, these diverse novelty structures and sculptures have become iconic landmarks in every State and Territory, and some have even developed quite a following. For this work, only five Big Things from NSW (the State I was living at the time) were chosen to write two minute 'postcards' about. Visit the Big Merino, Potato, Prawn, Sundial, and Banana at mattklohs.com.
2024-25 NSW State Band Championships test piece.
Premiere by the MYO Cameron Wind Ensemble at Melbourne Town Hall conducted by Dr. Kevin Cameron
A MOST PHANTASTIC JOURNEY - GRADE 4
Based on a favourite childhood book, the oboe/cor anglais feature as this tale's unwitting hero assisted by the 'magic' of the euphonium and a suite of other instrumental supporting roles. Brimming with story-book narrative, cinematic character, infectious melodies, and unexpected twists, A Most Phantastic Journey will captivate and entice players and audiences of all ages into their own 'phantastic' imaginings... Available from mattklohs.com.
2025 NSW State Band Championships test piece.
Premiere by Queensland Wind and Brass at The Old Museum conducted by Kara Williams
SONGS OF THE GREAT ALLUVIAL PLAIN - GRADE 4
Given the influence that water has in Australia's Riverina district of New South Wales - one of the planet's largest alluvial plains - this was an obvious topic to form the basis of this through-composed, programmatic work in five sections. Evolving from a commission for the Assai Quartet in 2022, the musical excitement, colour, and imagery of Songs of the great Alluvial Plain has been elevated to another level as an exciting work for wind ensemble. Available from mattklohs.com.
TWILIGHT WONDERMENT - GRADE 4
Commissioned for the 2022 Riverina Conservatorium Christmas Concert, this work portrays the excitement in anticipation and arrival at a big event in the local memorial gardens. As darkness approaches, there is a moment of stillness and wonderment absorbed into the delicate magic of the sparkling fairy-light laden tree in the middle of the park, before being drawn back into the evening’s festivities. Available from mattklohs.com.
CREDITS FOR AN UN-MADE MOVIE - GRADE 4
Treating each player as a soloist, this overture-style work pays homage to musical imagery characteristic of screen soundtracks. The listener is invited to sit back and create their own movie to what would be the main themes played during the closing credits. Available from mattklohs.com.
Selected arranger for the ArrangeMe/Hal Leonard Metallica Marching Band Contest 2024
FADE TO BLACK - GRADE 3.5-4
A selected chart for the Arrange Me ‘Metallica for Marching Band’ Competition, this clever, fun (and very, VERY catchy!) arrangement of Metallica’s ‘Fade To Black’ has been completely reimagined in an Afro-Cuban “Guaguanco” style groove with Metallica’s distinctive vocal and guitar lines shining through. With fantastic rhythmic teaching points throughout, this chart also has scoring flexibility making it accessible for a range larger and smaller ensembles – including wind ensemble settings. Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus.
ESCHER'S DREAM - GRADE 3.5
Escher's Dream for wind ensemble invites the performer and listener to reflect on renowned surrealist graphic artist M.C Escher's (1898-1972) black and white print Dream (Mantis religiosa) - and even to imagine Escher's own thought processes, dreams, and intent behind one of his more cryptic works. Available from mattklohs.com.
Being released after its premiere by Lane Cove Bands in August 2025
SWINGS & ROUNDABOUTS... - GRADE 3
Fun, lilting, and evocative of a circus trapeze or joyous childhood interactions with playground equipment, 'Swings and Roundabouts' is a catchy and accessible piece in 5/8 meter for intermediate wind ensembles. Also referring to the often-used vernacular for the circular goods-and -bads of life; we sometimes feel like our progress is two steps forward and one step back (or in this case 3 steps forward and two steps back!). Luckily, there are cherished moments of delight, satisfaction, solace, achievement, curiosity, and nostalgia to balance things out and keep our momentum forging forward. Will be available from mattklohs.com.
OCHROGASTER LUNIFER - GRADE 2.5
Funny name - great tune! This jaunty little processional march was named after the common Australian moth species Ochrogaster Lunifer - or ‘Bag-Shelter Moth', whose en-masse hairy caterpillars form long head to tail 'conga lines' travelling from tree to tree in search of food. From off in the distance, the procession makes its way to a nearby bush and then triumphantly marches off to find a new conquest. Available from mattklohs.com.
TANGOLISCIOUS - GRADE 2.5
This work is the perfect vehicle to teach this ageless style of music to your school or community group and a fantastic addition to your repertoire for the coming concert season. Your musicians will love how quickly Tangoliscious comes together with minimal rehearsal and audiences will love its catchy toe-tapping style - not to mention the delicious title! Available from mattklohs.com.
BREW TIME MARCH - GRADE 2.5
The third movement from the four movement 'Suite in Sea' originally written for clarinet and piano, 'Brew Time March' has been orchestrated for wind ensemble and has since proven to be a toe tapping favourite with performers and audiences. Following a young sailor as they excitedly hear the bugle call to have a break from work (brew time), grab a coffee (brew) and sit on the bow to watch the waves… lost in thoughts, the young sailor unexpectedly hears the sound of work recommencing, and scurries back, making it just in the nick of time… waiting eagerly for next the next call for Brew Time! Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
EXPLORING THE BASSMENT - Solo euphonium, bassoon, baritone sax, or baritone T.C. with band accompaniment
Full of capability, but often scored as the bass backbone in many compositions and arrangement, tenor-bass instruments rarely get to shine as a featured soloist especially in more novice or community band settings. Exploring the Bassment keeps the band accompaniment scoring relatively simple but interesting for players; and makes allowance for one of several potential players (or a whole section!) to take the soloist role. Band Grading 1.5-2 soloist 2.5-3. Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
EXPLORING THE BASSMENT - Solo tuba with band accompaniment
If you have a capable tuba player in your ensemble, then this is the perfect piece for you! Featuring a maestoso introduction section and cheerful, upbeat and catchy melody punctuated by a short interlude into the main soloist cadenza, “Exploring the Bassment” for Tuba keeps the band accompaniment scoring relatively simple allowing the soloist to shine - even in the lowest of registers! Band Grading 1.5-2 soloist 2.5-3. Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
RUDOLF FINISHES HIS SHIFT - GRADE 2.5 FLEX
Want a fun piece for this year’s Christmas concert? Aimed at advancing beginners through to intermediate+ players, this creatively arranged version of ‘Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer’ evokes an image of Rudolf as he arrives home and stumbles into bed happy but exhausted after leading Santa’s sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve. Although each part has suggested instrumentation based on the part’s range and transposition, this ‘flex’ arrangement (including three optional percussion parts) can be performed by various instruments as a chamber-style quintet through to large concert band. Featuring jaunty rhythms, and quirky chromatic figures, “Rudolf Finishes His Shift” is sure to engage and delight performers and audiences of any age.Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus.
GO WEST! - GRADE 2.5
This iconic hit performed by the Village people has been cleverly arranged for novice-intermediate marching band can also be performed by concert band. The slightly open form of this chart gives directors/bands flexibility on the march, and additional parts allow this chart to be performed in a more traditional wind band setting without leaving players out. Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus.
THE ASH GROVE - GRADE 2
Very approachable for younger bands and community groups alike, this traditional Welsh tune is well known and loved around the world, and this work will make a fine addition to any festival program or concert for your novice to intermediate level group. Available from mattklohs.com.
2024-25 NSW State Band Championships test piece
SHANTY PANTS - GRADE 2
Time to get your pirating outfit on! This jaunty little Grade 2 gem was written for and a favourite of one of Kara's own school bands. Available from mattklohs.com.
THAT TUMBARUMBA CUCUMBER RHUMBA - GRADE 2
Admittedly, the choice of title for this work for novice wind ensemble was based more on what would rhyme with the word ‘Tumbarumba’, than staying true to the style of the North American Latin groove made popular in the 1930s! It does; however, introduce players to some of the musical aspects found in Latin American and Afro-Cuban music in an accessible way. Written for and premiered by the Sturt Public School Band (near the town of Tumbarumba) this fun work has a catchy melody and fun bass line that will keep your players engaged and audience tapping their feet all the way through! Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
BIN CHICKEN BALLET - GRADE 1.5
The idea for Bin Chicken Ballet presented itself sitting in a restaurant outdoor area as the patrons having lunch were unwittingly entertained by two pairs of 'un-pretty' bald-black-scaly headed, beady-eyed, dirty looking Australian White Ibis with elongated bony black-skinned legs performing what seemed to be an ungainly (and rather raucous) courting dance of sorts - the rear of each pair squawking at and pecking at the other in tandem they performed a circuitous ritual around the paved street in front of the restaurant in the middle of Sydney's Kings Cross. Particularly apt for any outdoor concert! - trombone players will love the opportunity to slide on purpose! Available from mattklohs.com.
RHYTHM RHUMBLE! - GRADE 1.5
So much fun! This best selling little rock-style number is quasi-flex and features stomping and clapping from the band that can be performed with or without a percussion section and with as few as 10 players. The classic rock beat is passed around the performers in between playing the parts written for their instruments: they have so much fun changing and organising themselves to play their respective parts - which is also very entertaining for audiences! Available through sheetmusicdirect.com and sheetmusicplus.com. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
PAINT BOX - GRADE 1 (to 4)
Reflecting the thick, viscous quality of oil paint this suite explores accessible extended harmonic texture without the technical, rhythmical and range demands of higher-graded works. An interesting addition to any novice, small, or unevenly instrumented ensemble's repertoire, this quasi-flex composition can be performed as individual movements (colours) or as a whole suite (major work), and the movements may also be performed in any order. More accomplished groups will enjoy exploring and creating colourful musical nuance. Available from mattklohs.com.
WANDERING WENCESLAS - GRADE 1
Based on the traditional melody ‘Tempus Adeste Floridum’ this fun arrangement of the well-known Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas” evokes images of the Good King happily trudging through the snow! Featuring contrasting articulation and some interesting, accessible extended (jazz) harmony on a scaffold of simple rhythms and compact orchestration, this arrangement is perfect for novice ensembles and groups with more limited instrumentation. Available from sheetmusicdirect or sheetmusicplus. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
DOTS AND DASHES - GRADE .5 FLEX
Working on slurs and staccatos? Dots and Dashes is a great first work that focusses on simple section and ensemble articulation. Directors with uneven instrumentation will love the quasi-flex scoring. With only a handful of notes for each instrument, limited rhythms, no dynamics, and no indicated speed; this work gives very novice ensembles the freedom to explore rhythmic accuracy, articulation, and balance across the group at a speed that suits them. Available through sheetmusicdirect.com and sheetmusicplus.com. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.
NEW RECRUITS - GRADE .5 FLEX
Written for one of Kara's own beginner bands, this lovely little march-style work features the percussion section. simple rhythms, interesting harmony, and quasi-flex scoring. Featuring small spotlight sections for the different ensemble groups, limited notes, simple rhythms, and flexible scoring, ‘New Recruits’ is a fantastic first stand-alone piece for very novice ensembles. With no tempo or dynamics marked, ensembles are free to explore balance within their own context at a speed that suits them. Available through sheetmusicdirect.com and sheetmusicplus.com. Contact Kara directly if in Australia.