My Commissioners fund, rehearse and produce premiere performances of my work in collaboration with myself as co-director / co-producer of performances of my music. Should you wish to commission music from me, please fill out my Composition Commission Enquiry Form below, and email it to Elizabeth.Sheppard@anu.edu.au.

List of Works

KOORANGINY (2017)

1 Walken Rainbow 2 Yoora Tattoo 3 Koordaboodjar Heartland

• Commissioned by Ensemble Offspring (2017) for the inaugural Australian Indigenous Composers Initiative Concert presented on August 3 2017 at Eora Aboriginal College of TAFE Theatre, 333 Abercrombie Street, Sydney NSW.
• Workshops, rehearsals, venues and the premiere concert were funded by the Australian Music Centre, Eora Aboriginal College of TAFE and Mooghalin Arts (Aunty Lily Shearer and Frederick Copperwaite. Uncle Greg Simms gave the Aboriginal Welcome to Country in the Dharug language and English, and Aunty Lily Shearer presented and interviewed each composer prior to the performance of their work.
• These compositions were premiered by Ensemble Offspring performers Lamorna Nightingale (flute), Jason Noble (clarinet(, Claire Edwardes (vibraphone), Freya Schack-Arnott (cello) and and Rhyan Clapham (snare drum) on August 3 2017, Eora Aboriginal College Theatre, 333 Abercrombie Street Darlington, Sydney NSW
• This inaugural Australian Indigenous Composers Initiative Concert was recorded by Stephen Adams (ABC Presenter and Producer) and the original audio tracks were broadcast on ABC Classic’s New Waves Podcast, together with composer interviews.
• These works were re-recorded in 2023 by Ensemble Offspring and released on the ABC Classic CD “To Listen To Sing” (2023). This album was awarded the ClassicalNEXT Prize at Hamburg, Germany. The third movement of Kooranginy, Koordaboodjat Heartland, was premiered in Dublin, Ireland by the Evlana Quartet, and released on their CD.

BURRADOWI (2018) ; WARANGKA MAKIALO (2018) ; KAYA MARY (The Blue Pool) (2018) ; WONTHAGGI (Wind and Rain) ; MARY MOORDITJ NGAANGK / MARY GENTLE MOTHER (2018)

• These compositions were commissioned by Ensemble Offspring (2017) for the second Australian Indigenous Composers Initiative Concert, that was performed at the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s Eugene Goossens Hall, Ultimo NSW
• Funded and supported by the Australian Music Centre, Eora Aboriginal College, ANU School of Music, and Mooghalin Arts (Aunty Lily Shearer and Frederick Copperwaite)
• Premiere: Performed by Ensemble Offspring (Lamorna Nightingale, Jason Noble, Anna McMichael, Claire Edwardes, Freya Schack-Arnott, Roland Peelman and and Sonya Holowell) on 15 November 2018, at the ANU School of Music Studio, William Herbert Cres., Acton, Canberra ACT, and on 16 November 2018 at the ABC’s Eugene Goossens Hall, Ultimo, Sydney NSW.

KALGOORLI SILKY PEAR (2019)

• Commissioned by ANU Piano Lecturer and musicologist Dr. Scott Davie for performance and recording on the restored historic 1770 Henrion Fortepiano held in the Australian National University School of Music Keyboard Collection
• Commission funded by the ABC Fresh Start Program
• Recorded and produced by Stephen Adams (ABC Producer and Presenter) with Assistant Audio Engineer Christian “Huff ” Johnston, and broadcast on the ABC Classic New Waves Podcast
• Released on the ABC CD “Ngarra Burria Piyanna” (2021)

UNTITLED for Nineteen to the Dozen (2019)

• Commissioned from Elizabeth Sheppard by The Song Company

• Premiered by The Song Company in “Nineteen to the Dozen” at the Joern Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, Australia

• Recorded by The Song Company and released by One Equal Music on the Hyperion CD “Nineteen to the Dozen”

SONGS FROM THE HEART : KAOUWI EX CORDIS (2022)

1 Gathering 2 The First Sovereign Nations 3 Sovereignty 4 Miyaldjan Teardrops 5 Australia’s Nationhood 6 Enshrinement 7 Makaratta 8 A Rightful Place. 9 A Better Future

• Commissioned by The Song Company from Elizabeth Sheppard, who co-curated and co-directed The Song Company’s mainstage production Songs from the Heart that includes these works, with co-curators / co-directors Antony Pitts and Sonya Holowell

• Premiered by The Song Company in Songs from the Heart at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Newcastle NSW, on September 29 2022. Subsequently toured to Canberra ACT (Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU School of Music, Acton); Sydney NSW (Cell Block Theatre, Darlinghurst); Wollongong NSW (Wollongong Art Gallery) and Parramatta NSW (Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres). Performers: Antony Pitts (Baritone and Conductor); Alexander Stretch (Bass); Elias Wilson (Tenor); Elias Taylor (Tenor); Sonya Holowell (Alto); Jessica O’Donoghue (Alto); Amy Moore (Soprano); Susanna Lawergren (Soprano)

• The Song Company’s performances of these compositions were videoed by The Song Company, and the concert was streamed for 72 hours on the Australian Digital Concert Hall. Audio tracks of these works recorded at the Cell Block Theatre concert in Darlinghurst NSW were broadcast by ABC Classic on Lunchtime Concert. The CD Album Songs from the Heart that includes these compositions was released on the One Equal Music label in 2023, with “Connections” Artwork designed by Elizabeth Sheppard.

SONGS FROM THE HEART : SIX SONGS FROM THE HEART (2022)

1 Cross Country 2 Kaouwi Two Children Cooee 3 Noonakoort Karnya Respect 4 Ngaala Maaman 5 Koorlangka Children 6 Land of Sunshine

• Commissioned by The Song Company from Elizabeth Sheppard, who co-curated and co-directed The Song Company’s mainstage production Songs from the Heart that includes these works, with co-curators / co-directors Antony Pitts and Sonya Holowell

• Premiered by The Song Company in Songs from the Heart at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Newcastle NSW, on September 29 2022. Subsequently toured to Canberra ACT (Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU School of Music, Acton); Sydney NSW (Cell Block Theatre, Darlinghurst); Wollongong NSW (Wollongong Art Gallery) and Parramatta NSW (Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres). Performers: Antony Pitts (Baritone and Conductor); Alexander Stretch (Bass); Elias Wilson (Tenor); Elias Taylor (Tenor); Sonya Holowell (Alto); Jessica O’Donoghue (Alto); Amy Moore (Soprano); Susanna Lawergren (Soprano)

• The Song Company’s performances of these compositions were videoed by The Song Company, and the concert was streamed for 72 hours on the Australian Digital Concert Hall. Audio tracks of these works recorded at the Cell Block Theatre concert in Darlinghurst NSW were broadcast by ABC Classic on Lunchtime Concert. The CD Album Songs from the Heart that includes these compositions was released on the One Equal Music label in 2023, with “Connections” Artwork designed by Elizabeth Sheppard.

SONGS FROM THE HEART : TWO SONGS FROM THE HEART (2022)

1 As I Walk 6 Keep Guard of our Dreams

• Commissioned by The Song Company from co-composers Elizabeth Sheppard and Anmatjere Arrernte singer-songwriter and artist Rhubee Neale. Originally co-composed by Elizabeth Sheppard and Rhubee Neale at Eora Aboriginal College in 2004. Rearranged for a capella SSAATTBB choir by Elizabeth Sheppard and Rhubee Neale, and co-curated and co-directed by Elizabeth Sheppard with Antony Pitts and Sonya Holowell for Songs from the Heart with permission from co-composer Rhubee Neale, who is attributed as the co-composer of this music in the Songs from the Heart Program.

• Premiered by The Song Company in Songs from the Heart at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Newcastle NSW, on September 29 2022. Subsequently toured to Canberra ACT (Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU School of Music, Acton); Sydney NSW (Cell Block Theatre, Darlinghurst); Wollongong NSW (Wollongong Art Gallery) and Parramatta NSW (Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres). Performers: Antony Pitts (Baritone and Conductor); Alexander Stretch (Bass); Elias Wilson (Tenor); Elias Taylor (Tenor); Sonya Holowell (Alto); Jessica O’Donoghue (Alto); Amy Moore (Soprano); Susanna Lawergren (Soprano)

• The Song Company’s performances of these two songs were videoed by The Song Company, and the concert was streamed for 72 hours on the Australian Digital Concert Hall. Audio tracks of these works recorded at the Cell Block Theatre concert in Darlinghurst NSW were broadcast by ABC Classic on Lunchtime Concert. The CD Album Songs from the Heart that includes these compositions was released on the One Equal Music label in 2023, with “Connections” Artwork designed by Elizabeth Sheppard.

KOORDABOODJAR HEARTLAND FOR FLUTE AND HARP (2021)

• Commissioned by Dr. Sally Walker, Flute Lecturer, Australian National University

• Premiered by flautist Dr. Sally Walker and harpist Emily Granger at the NSW Art Gallery’s 150th Anniversary Resonate Concert, April 2021

WE ARE YOUR WITNESSES / NGALAK NOONOOK BALGA (SATB and Organ 2023)

• Commissioned by Dr. Graeme Morton, Music Director, St Johns Cathedral Brisbane, Australia

• Premiered and videoed by St Johns Cathedral Choir, Brisbane, July 2023

KAROLLINI. TEN AUSTRALIAN CAROLS (2023)

1 Listen my Spirit. 2 On This Day. 3 Ngangk Yira Sunrise Carol. 4 The Kamay Carol. 5 Not in a Golden Palace. 6 Mary Moorditj Ngaangk / Mary Gentle Mother. 7 The Coolamon Carol. 8 Blue Sky Country. 9 Kaya Mary 10 Golden Summer

• Commissioned, funded and premiered by Elizabeth Sheppard Media in partnership with River City Voices and the Ngarra Burria First Peoples Composers Group of the Australian National University

• Recording fully funded and directed by Elizabeth Sheppard Media with co-direction from Antony Pitts at 2MBS FM Founders Studio, St Leonards NSW Australia. Recording Audio Engineer: Joe Goddard. Mixing / Mastering: Joe Goddard & Elizabeth Sheppard. Performers: Antony Pitts (piano), Elsa Susnjara (Soprano), Sonya Holowell (Alto), Elias Wilson (Tenor), Archie Tulk (Bass).

• Karollini Christmas CD released worldwide via TuneCore on November 1 2023

• Karollini Christmas (Songbook) produced and published by Elizabeth Sheppard Media November 2023, see https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/10011111

KATOOMBA (2025)

Commissioned by ANU School of Music, Canberra ACT

Premiered by pianist Edward Neeman and flautist Mark Xiao at The Gathering Conference of Indigenous Composers, ANU School of Music, November 30 2025