Zoetrope-Wheel of Life is a new orchestral composition written for the Manawatu Sinfonia and made possible with a grant from the Earle creativity trust in 2015. It was premiered on May 21st 2017. Suitable for community/amateur and youth orchestras through to professional orchestras. Approximately 10 minutes long. Full score and parts.

A zoetrope is a 19th century barrel-like mechanical device that creates an early form of simple animation on a loop. ‘Wheel of life’ is its transliteration, the name being coined from the Greek words for life and turning. The title is inspired by the composers daughter, Zoey (meaning life) and was written throughout her first year. The work creates a feeling of wheel-like, rhythmical sequences that tell a story and draw the listener into a new sound world. The opening repeated chords heard throughout the work are cyclic in nature perhaps signifying the turning seasons/phases of life. 

Instrumentation: 2(2nd flute doubling Piccolo, 2,2,2 2,2,2,1 Timpani, Cymbals, Strings.