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STUDENT VOICE STUDENT VOICE

Klearhos Murphy
From the Student Club President
accepted for Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB: Composer Accelerator
the last three years. Whether that be the mentors and leaders Program as well as Ensemble Offspring’s Hatched Academy
I learned from and leaned on in my first year, who helped me 2023, with both programs featuring world premieres at the
find my place in a new city, the friends I made in my second Sydney Opera House.
year who made JCH feel like home and helped me find my
footing as a leader, or the community I forged in my third Klearhos also enjoys teaching orchestration, music theory and
year that encouraged me to be brave, allowed me to be a music history at the Melbourne Conservatorium and at Janet
leader, and made leaving JCH so very bittersweet – you will Clarke Hall.
all have a very special place in my heart, always. English composer John Tavener once reflected, ‘I used to fret
Running for Student Club President at the end of 2023 was over manuscripts... Now it’s a question of going very quiet,
one of the biggest leaps of faith I have ever taken, and I emptying my mind, and seeing what happens... finding The
will be forever thankful to the Student Club for electing Voice.’ While not all composers seek such divine inspiration, I
me. I have grown in confidence, strength, determination relate to his dilemma – faced with endless stylistic possibilities, I
and decisiveness. One of the best parts of this role was co- often fretted over the countless styles and approaches possible
organising W Week 2024 with my dedicated co-coordinator, for composition and continued to feel lost. My intention now is
Cat Ekins-Daukes, and the talented team. W Week in my Klearhos Murphy (2023) is a Greek-Australian composer to ground my work in something beyond music itself: for me,
opinion is the most important event we run as a Student who is currently studying a Master of Music (Research) at the this is my faith as a Greek Orthodox Christian.
Club, as it sets the expectations and energy of the Student Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He has worked with As such, my project explores composing, arranging, and
During my time at JCH, I witnessed what I believe is a very Club for the year to come. Responding to an atmosphere
rare college environment. JCH is not just an institution for of inclusivity and engagement, so many students ran for national and international ensembles including the Melbourne orchestrating concert works through the lens of Eastern
Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra,
Orthodox spirituality. This raises two key questions: What
housing college students – it is a second home for young subcommittee positions, got involved in sports and arts
adults where inquisitive, creative, caring, and resourceful activities, and contributed to the College community Perth Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Pops Orchestra, Willoughby aspects of my faith serve as foundations for new music; and
Symphony Orchestra, and the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra.
how are they incorporated compositionally?
minds are fostered. It is a place for growing into adulthood, through other means. I tip my hat to each person who goes
finding your passion in the world, and developing lifelong out of their way to enrich the College culture. In 2023, he was awarded Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s On these pages I’ll be showcasing three works that highlight
relationships with the people around you. Young Composer of the Year, and participated in the Saruya my inspirations and processes: Prayer for Makronissos (2023), The
Finally, to Eleanor, Margie, Bee and all the JCH staff and
Whether at the dining table at mealtimes, during College Tutors who support students in myriad ways, we are so Artists Residency in Fujiyama, Japan. In 2024, Klearhos was Uncreated Light (2023) and Ikon of Nipsis (2024).
tutorials, or late at night in bedrooms, there is always lively, very grateful for your tireless efforts. Thank you for all the
respectful debate and conversation. Whilst not always kindness, wisdom, support, and advice you have given to the
about the most serious of topics – Who at College would students of JCH. Prayer for Makronissos (2023) used in times of trouble and stress, no less applicable to the
win the Hunger Games? – minds are changed, perspectives This piece was performed by the Willoughby Symphony subject on which the work is based. The text is as follows:

rethought, and ultimately well-rounded individuals are Whilst I am very sad to be departing the JCH community, I Orchestra for the Young Composer of the Year Award 2023. You who cried out in pain and anguish shortly
formed. No matter what your background, religion, country, know that I will always have a place to return where I will be Makronissos, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, served as a before your suffering,
region, or footy team, this is a place for you to be yourself greeted with a smile, open arms, and warm hearts. It is much political prison from the 1920s to the 1970s. My grandfather Now my soul is troubled and what shall I say?
and to be respected and celebrated for what makes you easier to step out into the world having lived at JCH, and I recalls his father Dimitri being wrongfully convicted for the Do not disregard my cry sent up to you at this hour
unique. feel ready to meet the world and all its challenges knowing terrible crime of even being described as a communist. For with sighs too deep for words,
I have a community of people who support and uplift me a whole year he was subjected to torments that my pappou
The thing that makes this most possible is the student body every day. struggles to even imagine. He was eventually released – an but with this trial provide also the way out
at JCH. Whilst it is impossible to become best friends with outcome many detainees sadly did not share. so that I may be able to endure it
every single person at College, I want to give a shout-out to Della Knight and glorify your boundless mercy and love for us,
every student I had the privilege of sharing a home with for Student Club President 2023/24 Using text as a structural basis Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.
The work is scored for orchestra and SATB choir (soprano,
alto, tenor, bass: a combination of voices in choral music) Byzantine Chant
which enforces constraints that have helped to lay the The liturgical style of chanting used in Orthodox Churches
groundwork for a system I would continue to use for, at worldwide is a traditional component of worship as
least, the next two years. Namely, the inclusion of a choir important as all other materials passed down apostolically.
compelled me to employ one of music’s truly transcendental In Greek Orthodox Churches, Byzantine Chant has been
qualities – that of conveying meaning through both the used for over 2000 years, making it one of the longest
written and sonic word. continuously practiced musical traditions in the world. One
unique aspect of this tradition is its notation system, which
In this instance, I chose an excerpt of a common prayer has had a direct impact on my practice when constructing
used in the liturgical life of the Church. The prayer I chose is the melodic content of this piece.

Figure 1. Primary melody in Prayer for Makronissos, as notated in both Byzantine and Western notation.

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