Listen to Ben’s composition performed by the Queensland Youth Chamber Orchestra.
Listen to Ben’s original composition submitted with his entry.
Ben (Wenhao) Fan is a 19-year-old composer who is currently studying Bachelor of Music (Composition) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Ben’s love for music was ignited in high school, which originally started as a hobby, and eventually became a passion. Originally inspired by James Horner, Ben began by expressing his emotions through music. This influenced him to experimentation with different textures and timbres in his compositions. Although Ben didn’t select Music as his elective subject in HSC, he still pursued his dreams nonetheless. Ben is a self-taught composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist. Therefore he decided to study music at a tertiary level.
Since commencing his study at the Conservatorium, Ben has written numerous works as well as workshopped his pieces with performers. He had also extended his love for conducting by entering Advanced Conducting in his first semester followed by Postgraduate Conducting in his second semester. He hopes to share his passion for music and inspire a new generation of composers.
Composition Inspiration
When I began composing this fanfare work, I imagined myself soaring between the clouds on a sunny day in a small plane, feeling every motion of the sky around me. From the vibrations of the engine to the turbulence felt on the wingtips, I tried to capture every moment of this sensation in my score by using the whole orchestra to create textures that combine all the senses, from sight, sound, and touch. From the vibrations of the engines portrayed by the tremolo strings, to the use of calm, yet energetic French Horns to express the motions of soaring above the clouds. Every sensation captured, all in one score. Flying has been a passion of mine since young, I started learning how to fly on simulators. Dreaming the sensations I could have, the time I got into a real light aircraft. It was a moment I could never forget. Through this score, I want to share my experience of flying to the audience. Allowing them to experience it themselves, through the beautiful colours and textures of an orchestra.