I've been quite out-of-the-loop with Australian politics since moving overseas in 2011. Honestly, when I spoke with friends about politics in Aus, the discussion usually centred around the question, "who is the prime minister at the moment?". It seemed like a merry-go-round and I just struggled to keep up.

However, when I put out a call on social media for suggestions for famous modern speeches for this 'Speeches & Music' project, I was immediately drawn to this one from Julia Gillard in 2012. I felt ashamed that I hadn't heard the speech and I also felt ashamed that this speech was even needed to be delivered by the prime minister of a "modern" nation! Whilst the word is now often overused, it must be said that this speech is truly 'epic'. If you haven't heard the whole thing, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd7ofrwQX0

It was a tricky process to decide how I would introduce music to this speech. I decided to play with the sarcasm and irony used as Julia Gillard slowly tears into Tony Abbott (the opposition leader at the time). The aim was to create a dynamic build as the speech progresses into a more and more raucous atmosphere. A circus-like vibe is created as Gillard's supporters chime in at her defence. The track ends with the famous "ditch the witch" slogan and Abbott's delinquence and pettiness is laid bare for the whole floor to witness.

The leader of the opposition says - Julia Gillard's famous 2012 speech set to music

Music for yoga, featuring the tenor bass and tombak.

Origami Flow

Floating

Free Ride

Recorded in loving memory of Jaap.
Vocals by Mikaela Koelma
Instruments & Production by Chris Koelma

Love Is Still The Answer (Jason Mraz)

After The Rain

I’ve never been to New Zealand. 

I’d like to go one day though.

I’ve heard some people say it’s kind of like a mini-South America? Plateaus like the pampas. Modern cities like Buenos Aires or Santiago. Mountains and snow like Patagonia. Fjords like in the south of Chile. Surfing beaches like Brazil. It sounds cool.

I’ve got some Kiwi friends - they are legends.

I’ve always loved NZ film and television. Flight of the Conchords blew my mind and anything Taika Waititi does (in my opinion) is creative gold.

On the 15th March 2019, an event happened in New Zealand that made global headlines. I remember it quite clearly. Of course, the event sparked important discussions and debates about religion, terrorism, nationalism and many other important social constructs. But, what I remember most was the live stream at 6pm that evening from the NZ prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. The speech was centred around the phrase, “As Salam Alaykum, Peace Be With You”. The speech was a clear statement, full of compassion and unity. It was both rousing and reassuring. 

My aim is not to directly comment on the event or highlight a specific political agenda in this piece, but merely to celebrate a sincere and profound bit of spoken word from a modern leader. I hope the piece highlights this for you and gives you a sense of place and time as you listen.

Artwork by @mikakoelma

As Salam Alaykum - Jacinda Ardern’s famous 2019 speech set to music

On July 27th 2004, Barack Obama delivered a speech that was to elevate him to new heights in his political career. At this time, he was the State Senator for Illinois and was giving a speech in support of the (then) Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. 

This speech laid the foundation for the themes and ideas that Obama would repeatedly return to as he moved his way through the political ranks to eventually become elected as the US President in 2009.

Reconciliation, unity, racial equality, religious freedoms, gender and sexual identity and of course, hope. 

I choose to focus on the line 'E Pluribus Unum' in this piece, because at first I was intrigued by the sound of those words and how they were mixed in so smoothly with the flow of the speech. The phrase stood out, yet seemed to also fit just right! I later researched what it meant and was struck by the significance.

'E Pluribus Unum' is Latin for 'Out of many, one'. It is the traditional motto of the US. It is featured on the Great Seal, on various flags and on many editions of US coins. It is a call for unity, stemming back to the original thirteen colonies that landed on the North American continent.

It blew me away...the motto of the United States of America is togetherness and unity?! How can this be? I always thought it would be something like progress or reaching for new heights or something about striving to move forward! It intrigued me to have my perspective changed and revealed to me the power of this phrase in terms of forging a collective movement.

Let this piece be a reminder of the power of setting a vision for the future. In our families, communities, countries and in our world, let E Pluribus Unum be our way forward.

Artwork by @mikakoelma

E Pluribus Unum - Barack Obama’s famous 2004 speech set to music

Composer/arranger/producer
Insta: @chriskoelma
Exploration of the Bass 2008 Album: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5GNF6E6715AsLPK2T4NHtk?si=J8hgVUpbR_27MwZG0pGJNw
Founder of Beginner Orchestra: www.beginnerorchestra.com
Speeches and Music series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlrgDGm37uI

Chris Koelma

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