Demo inspired by the 'Iļģi' arrangement of the traditional folk song

Situ Koku (Folk song arr.) DEMO

Soloist: Caitlin Duncombe

La Libellule (The Dragonfly) was written for my friend Caitlin Duncombe for her final viola recital at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2021. It was inspired by the life cycle of a dragonfly, and movement and journey it takes. Each section displays a different aspect and interpretation of the dragonfly’s personality, and how I imagine their various adventures through life to be.

La Libellule//The Dragonfly (Solo Viola and Piano)

Waiting for love (SATB)

Composed by Laura Jekabsone
Arranged by Aija Draguns

Recorded virtually by the students and alumni of the Annas Ziedares Vasaras Vidusskolu (AZVV)/ Latvian School Camp.

Veltījums Skolai (AZVV School Song)

Premiered at Sydney Town Hall, May 2022 by Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra (Conductor Brett Weymark)

Paper cranes symbolise hope and healing, and lavender is a colour symbolising peace and serenity. The past two years have brought immense stress and conflict across the world (covid-times), as all walks of life have suffered through this experience in various ways. I personally yearn for a sense of calm and stillness once again.
Lavender Paper Cranes not only reflects on recent hardship but looks forward in hope, with musical gestures such as the constant ‘ticking’ of the harpsichord symbolising the continuation of time – no matter what good or bad occurs in life, time moves forward. Our ‘crown’ has not fallen down but we remain strong and composed, willing the world to feel at peace again.

Lavender Paper Cranes (for Chamber Orchestra)

Commissioned by Trinity Grammar School as part of the Trinity Grammar

Composer Fellowship program in Sydney, 2020

Shadows And Magpies for SA Children's choir (Accompanied by Vibraphone and Piano)

Commissioned by Trinity Grammar School as part of the Trinity Grammar Composer Fellowship program in Sydney, 2020

Future Me, who will I be? (For SA Children's choir and piano)

Women have gone from being stay at home mothers, to fighting for the right to work, to having the
freedom to choose. Though societal views on working mothers has changed over-time, is this
pressure, judgement, and guilt still present for women today? This piece explores motherhood and
womanhood from three generational perspectives:

“Mother home when we were young. Memories of fresh baked bread. Calming chaos round our house. Had comfort knowing mothers home. Home.

Guilt around my own pursuits. I’m still mother though I work. Please let me consider my own needs. Balance for my family. Guilt.

Found our place, but still fighting. Do dream big, you can fly free. She can choose what mother means. Free to be brave, free to chose. Fly. “

Composed for "100 Women. 100 Stories" project with THE HOUSE THAT DAN BUILT. Premiered Sydney Town Hall, November 2023.

From my mother to her (SSSSAA Choir)

Composed for "100 Women. 100 Stories" project with THE HOUSE THAT DAN BUILT. Premiered Sydney Town Hall, November 2023. 

This piece offers comfort to young women, as the sisterhood stands strong and united. We help each other search for who we are as individuals, while finding our voice and place in the world. It is ok to be lost, and not know who you are yet, as we are all on this search together. The singers all“call out” to each other, symbolizing this search for themselves.

Finding You (For SSSSAAAA Choir) DEMO

Comissioned by LJAA for Ingrida Darzins for the 'Mēness Starus Stīgo' concert in Melbourne, June 2022

Mēnesī Raugoties/Pondering the moon (Trumpet and Piano)

Commissioned for CORO INNOMINATA Choir as part of the Coro
Innominata ‘Women Composers Development Program’ for 2020/21

Lyrics by Aspāzija

Putns Ar Uguns Spārniem / Bird with the fire wings (SATB Choir)

A Calm Heart

Created through remixed voices of The Australian Voices, and Aija Draguns

A call to our ancestors

Watercolored (Electroacoustic)

Latvian folk lyrics, conducted by Gints Ceplenieks
Sung by AZVV choir (concert recording)

Sarkandaiļa roze auga (SATB)

This piece is "Lāčplēsis" (by Aija Draguns) remix

Sēd Uz Sliekšņa Pasaciņa SOUNDTRACK (Electroacoustic)

Written for marimba, vibraphone, clarinet, and 4-handed piano. A piece which tells the story of the Italian thief Vincenzo Peruggia, who in 1911 stole the famous painting Mona Lisa

Vincenzo (Percussion, Clarinet & 4-handed piano)

Train de Jouet (Toy train) is a chamber ensemble work for saxophone quartet, organ and 2 pianos. Recorded in Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, August 2020. 
Saxes:
Soprano- Qui Li (Iris)
Alto- Mitchell Old
Tenor- Nicholas Lafkas
Baritone- Oliver Lee
Piano 1: Grace Lee
Piano 2: Yvonne Lau
Organ: Hamish Wagstaff

Train de Jouet (Saxophone Quartet, Organ & 2 Pianos)

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
-
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Sung by soprano Chloe Lankshear

Photo by Jack Fontez

Kyrie (Solo Soprano Voice)

Setting of Romeo and Juliet, Act 3 Scene 2 (Line 74-86) by William Shakespeare

Soprano- Chloe Lankshear
Violin- Michel Kharrat
Flute- Beck House
Piano- Jina Kang Lee

Recorded at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, November 2020

Dove-feathered raven (Soprano voice, Violin, Flute and Piano)

Aija Draguns is an Australian Sydney-based emerging composer and conductor, specializing in vocal music. Her compositions are often inspired by her Latvian heritage, specifically from the folk and choral genres.
Email: aijadraguns0@gmail.com
Website: https://www.aijadraguns.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/aijadraguns/?hl=en

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