The Golden Wattle

Duration: ca. 5 mins (for String Orchestra of a grade level 1.5 - 2.5) (Viola Part is optional) The Golden Wattle (for string orchestra) highlights the flower's uniqueness and its symbol of Australian nationality. As it was made the official floral emblem of Australia, its influence has been incredibly prevalent; featured on Australian postal stamps, celebrated every year on September 1 as "National Wattle Day", displayed with the national colours of green and gold, and regarded as one of Australia's most iconic flowers. This work specifically aims to portray its connotations of unity, inspiration, remembrance and diversity, as it comes in around 760 different types throughout Australia. Its incredible adaptability and resilience to Australia's frequent droughts, intense winds and bushfires is also reflected in the music. This piece is primarily in A natural minor; typically associated with the barren, parched landscapes of the Australian outback, reflecting the environment the golden wattle is in. The work is in ternary form, the B section introducing a significant contrast in terms of its tonality (G natural minor), mood, tempo, time signature (6/8) and articulation. Perfect 4ths, 5ths and tritones are also the dominant intervals of this work, contributing to the landscape's dryness. The opening A section gradually emerges from a thinned texture with its slow moving theme, representative of the golden wattle. This is first played by the viola and double bass. Overall, this section illustrates the flower's natural stages of life, as it survives in a variety of habitats - forests, grasslands, deserts and woodlands, but growing mainly in areas with dry soil. Then the music slowly builds up to the turbulent, tempestuous nature of the B section. The rhythm in the lower strings creates a sense of drive and agitation, reinforced by the abundant use of staccatos and accents. This section is reflective of the flower's notable qualities, including the sense of unity it gives to Australians; incredible resilience and determination, even through the hardships it suffers, from drought to bushfire. Finally, the concluding A section is similar to the opening, but in D natural minor instead of A. However, it increases tension and drama to finish the piece in A natural minor in a spirited, upbeat character, with reference to the 6/8 time signature and driving rhythm of the B section.