Composed for the 2013 International Fleet Review, A Maritime Symphony is a large-scale work for wind orchestra dedicated to each of the nations that took part in this historic naval event.

Consisting of four movements that represent different geographic regions, the symphony takes the listener on a musical journey across the globe visiting the many diverse cultural styles of music along the way. Folk tunes, patriotic songs and traditional music belonging to each of the participating countries are what form the creation of A Maritime Symphony.

IV: "Sea of Atlas"

Covering approximately twenty percent of the Earth’s surface, the Atlantic Ocean is sometimes referred to as the “Sea of Atlas”, named after the mighty Titan “Atlas” of Greek mythology. This powerful fourth and final movement of the Maritime Symphony is a display of might, and also includes an array of patriotic music belonging to the countries of the Atlantic region. Participating nations from the Americas, Europe, Africa and member nations of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) all play an important role in the structure of this movement.

A Maritime Symphony Mvt IV "Sea of Atlas" (2013)

Aurora Australis, the southern hemisphere’s equivalent to the famous Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), is a descriptive work portraying the colourful night sky light display visible from high southern latitudes in Antarctica, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia.

The work depicts this wonderful glowing sky phenomenon as it subtly grows from nothing into a large energetic geomagnetic storm, emitting contrasting shapes and colours in the night sky, before gently fading away as the night comes to an end.

The work Aurora Australis was the winning entry in the Australian Wind Symphony Composition Competition 2016, sponsored by Australian Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (ABODA) NSW and World Projects South Pacific.

Aurora Australis (2016)

In Flanders Fields

Eternal Father

First Victory honours the Sydney-Emden WW1 battle.  It is performed performed by the Royal Australian Navy Band with narrative by Mr Mike Carlton.  It was composed to commemorate the Centenary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War One.

First Victory (2018)

The quick march “Once Navy – Always Navy” was composed to mark the 2020 centenary of the Naval Association of Australia (NAA). The composer, Chief Petty Officer Musician Martyn Hancock CSM, Bandmaster of the Royal Australian Navy Band Tasmania, presented the score to the President of the Tasmanian Section of the Association, Mr Brian Ellis, on Saturday 24th October 2020 during the anniversary dinner in Launceston, Tasmania.
The Association was established following WWI, during a period when Australia was faced with the task of reintegrating an unprecedented number of Defence personnel back into civilian life. A total of 400,000 enlisted in WWI and those who survived returned home with more struggles to contend with.
The NAA began one evening in the vicinity of Young and Jacksons Hotel in Melbourne. An ex- naval man, out for a stroll with his wife, saw a former shipmate on point duty as a policeman. From this chance meeting, they decided to get together again with as many old shipmates as possible.
This led to a "Smoko" in May, 1920, in the old Manchester Unity Hall in Swanston Street, attended by about 100 ex-Navalmen who agreed to form the "Ex-Navalmen's Association'", which was inaugurated in November, 1920.
In 1922, the Association amalgamated with the China Naval Contingent Association whose members had seen service during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.
In 1925, the NSW Section was formed in Sydney and in 1947 approval was given to NSW to form Sub Sections in other areas throughout the State. In 1960 the Association's name was changed to "The Naval Association of Australia", to better reflect its aims and a membership that included both serving and ex-naval persons.
From its beginning the Association was developed as a self-help organisation with the main objective being to unite former and serving Naval Personnel for the purpose of mutual benefit with the motto "Each for All — All for Each".

Once Navy Always Navy (2020)

Australian composer / arranger specialising in Wind Band and Choral works

Once Navy Always Navy (2020)

Martyn Hancock

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