In celebration of 50 years of the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA), the AUSTA Q committee and six of Queensland’s most esteemed composers have come together to create a truly special gift for our members — a collection of new works titled Quintessentially Queensland.

This commemorative project honours AUSTA’s half-century of supporting string education and performance across Australia. Each piece in the set captures a different shade of Queensland’s soundscape — from its golden beaches and rainforest waterfalls to the energy of its cities and the vibrant life that thrives between them.

The Collection: Six Works that Sing of Queensland

Level 1 – Neridah Oostenbroek: Waterfalls
A flowing, lyrical piece that evokes the movement and shimmer of cascading water. Perfect for early ensemble work, it encourages expressive bowing and phrasing.

Level 1.5 – Loreta Fin AM: Creepy Crawly Canon
A playful and imaginative canon celebrating some of Queensland’s most curious creatures. Students will delight in the rhythmic interplay and witty lyrics that bring our local fauna to life.

Level 2 – Alison Harbottle: Golden Beaches
This sunny, melodic work captures the warmth of Queensland’s coastline, with sweeping phrases and gentle harmonic motion that invite students to explore tone colour and balance.

Level 3 – Keith Sharp: Kuranda
Inspired by the lush rainforest town of Far North Queensland, this piece blends rhythmic vitality with a sense of calm majesty. A wonderful opportunity for intermediate players to explore contrast and atmosphere.

Level 4 – Michael Patterson: Story Bridge
Strong, modern, and architectural — just like its namesake — this work captures the pulse of Brisbane through driving rhythms and dramatic harmonic shifts.

Level 4 – Stephen Chin: Barrier Reef
A musical journey beneath the waves, Barrier Reef shimmers with colour and movement, celebrating the diversity and wonder of one of the world’s natural treasures.

A Gift for AUSTA Members

The complete Quintessentially Queensland collection is available free to all current AUSTA members through the member login area of the AUSTA website until the end of 2025. After that, the works will be available directly from the individual composers.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Stephen Chin, Loreta Fin, Alison Harbottle, Neridah Oostenbroek, Michael Patterson, and Keith Sharp for their generosity and creativity in honouring this milestone year for AUSTA. Their music not only celebrates our state but also enriches string programs across the country.

️ Bonus Resource: Free Creepy Crawly Canon Prep & Practice Sheet

To support teachers introducing Creepy Crawly Canon, AUSTA Q has also released a free downloadable Practice Sheet, featuring all the melodies and lyrics written in.

This engaging resource helps students internalise the canon structure, practise part independence, and have a bit of fun along the way! It’s perfect for early rehearsals, sectionals, or at-home practice.

Download your free sheet here.

A Celebration of Our Musical Identity

Quintessentially Queensland is more than a collection of pieces — it’s a celebration of the creativity, generosity, and community spirit that define AUSTA. These compositions reflect who we are as educators and musicians, and the vibrant place we call home.

As we mark 50 years of AUSTA, may this music inspire a new generation of young players to explore, connect, and fall in love with the strings — Queensland style.