Kiwi Dragon - Matthew Hall

'Kiwi Dragon' was commissioned by Byron 'Buzz' Newton for his Master's final performance recital at The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2012, a recital in which he was awarded an unprecedented 100%. Buzz travelled to Cardiff, Wales for his Master's degree course and became a member of Tredegar Town Band during his studies. 'Kiwi Dragon's' inception came from an initial conversation with the soloist where the thought of combining traditional Welsh folk music with that of Buzz's native New Zealand folk songs to create a virtuosic finishing piece for the recital was conceived. Originally scored for solo euphonium, 10-piece brass and percussion, 'Kiwi Dragon' includes the traditional New Zealand folk melodies Pokare Ana and Tarakihi and the Welsh folk melody Myfanwy, combined with the national anthems of both New Zealand and Wales in the pieces' culmination.