Composition
In the context of our services at Opening Gambit Music, composition means creating original music tailored to a specific purpose and brief.
We can craft music in any style or genre to meet your individual needs. Projects we’ve composed for include:
Music for television
Series: Seachange
Client: Richard Pleasance & ABC TV
Concert étude for yidaki and orchestra
Prelude to Chinwag
Artist: Mark Atkins with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Black Arm Band
Client: The Melbourne Festival & The Black Arm Band (MSO feat. Mark Atkins), 2008
Prelude to Chinwag
Ceremonial fanfare for brass sextet
Event: Opening event of the Ring Cycle Festival Melbourne, 2013
Client: Insite Arts
Collaborative work for large, mixed ensemble
Trajectories
Event: Closing concert, Four Winds Festival
Client: Four Winds Festival
Concert works for large ensemble
Intrusions
Artist: The Monash Art Ensemble
Client: Monash University
Intrusions
Precipice
Artist: The Australian Art Orchestra
Commissioned by: The Australia Council for the Arts
Event: Celebration of the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony
Concert program for medium ensemble
Event: Celebration of the music and life of Louis Armstrong, MONA FOMA festival, 2014
Artist and client: The Australian Art Orchestra
cleverly combined elements of early jazz with electronics and the gorgeously supple voice of Ngaiire.
Jessica Nicholas, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2014
Australian Art Orchestra, Struttin’
Piece for standard big band
A Glorious Tomato
Client: ATM 15 Big Band
A Glorious Tomato
Education
At Opening Gambit Music, we know that composing for student ensembles requires more than just technical skill — it demands sensitivity, imagination, and a deep understanding of educational needs. With extensive experience working across all levels of student performance, we create music that challenges, inspires, and supports developing musicians.
Our educational commissions have been proudly undertaken for organisations including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Melbourne Polytechnic, the University of Tasmania, Eltham High School, Balwyn High School, and the Crashendo! music program at Laverton College
Working with Eugene was a highly rewarding experience. He responded to the brief with great independence and creativity, producing four well-crafted pieces of music that were delivered on time and required minimal direction.
Erica Rasmussen, Director, Crashendo Music Program
Accolades and Awards
Opening Gambit Music compositions have been honoured with some of the highest accolades and awards, including:
- Composer in residence
- Granted by the Flinders String Quartet and All That We Are, Tasmania, 2023
- Work created: Alongside the Bright
Alongside the Bright
Flinders Quartet Composer Development Program, 2021
Piece: Kaleidoscope
Performer: Flinders Quartet
Kaleidoscope
Australian Jazz Bell Award, winner, best Australian jazz song, 2011
Piece: Song from the Highest Tower
Performer: Allan Browne Quintet
Song from the Highest Tower
Australian Jazz Bell Award, winner, Australian jazz composition of the year, 2008
Piece: Fool Poet’s Portion Suite
Performer: Bennetts Lane Big Band
Fool Poet’s Portion Suite
Ball’s work is a masterpiece of musical tension – escalating and neutralising the anxious drama of the piece without ever compromising its understated intensity
Matt O’Neill, timeoff.com.au
Works commissioned from Opening Gambit Music have been proudly supported by funding from Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council for the Arts) and Creative Victoria (formerly Arts Victoria).
Opening Gambit Music
OGM can compose music to suit any event an fulfill any purpose. Get in touch to find out how Opening Gambit Music can help bring your creative vision to life.