Peaceful Moments was created for the Hush Foundation, an organisation that commissions and records music designed to be heard in the waiting rooms, wards, and operating theatres of Australian hospitals. Before starting to write, composers are invited to spend time in a hospital, meeting staff, patients, and their families in order to experience something of the day-to-day reality of life within the healthcare environment.
Nine of the eleven pieces are for piano and guitar; two (“Undulate” and “Kirribilli”) are for piano alone. The pieces have been recorded by Matt Withers (guitar), and Vatche Jambazian (piano) for the album Peaceful Moments (Hush Music, 2025).
Peaceful Moments was born from a visit to Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney—not to observe the children, as Hush has traditionally done, but to understand the needs of the staff. What I saw were healthcare workers stretched to their limits, their nervous systems in a constant state of fight or flight. The idea of adding music to their environment, even in break spaces, felt overwhelming to them—just one more source of stimulus in an already overstimulated world. Since COVID, life for patients has largely returned to normal, but for healthcare workers, the pressures remain as intense as ever.
Drawing from my PhD research on music for calm, catharsis, and wellness, Peaceful Moments is a collection of musical reflections on small, quiet moments that offer a sense of stillness. It is designed as a guide for transition, a way for workers to step out of their high-pressure environments and use music to reclaim a sense of calm as they move from work to home. In these pieces, I hope they can find a space to rest, reset, and reconnect with themselves.
1. Introit
Inspired by the way Peter Sculthorpe’s Requiem for Cello Alone impacted me emotionally, “Introit” was the first track written for the album, and entrains listeners, preparing them gently for the emotional narrative to come.
2. Afternoon Quiet
Composed in the stillness of the afternoon, this piece captures the serene moment when the day’s energy dips between the bustle of lunch and the chaos of home-time. It reflects a tranquil pause, inviting listeners to bask in the calmness and gentle quietude of the afternoon lull, where the mind moves to more profound, introspective musings.
3. It All Falls Together
This is a piece that explores moments of gratitude and playful joy—the times when life serves you lemons and you make the sweetest lemonade. You might even hear “’Cause it all falls together” hiding in the main theme of the work. It’s a small affirmation, a quiet knowing smile, the dropping of the shoulders, and the reminder that no matter what, everything that’s meant to be will be.
4. Morning
This piece encapsulates the gentle awakening of a new day. It mirrors the soft light and fresh energy of the morning, evoking a sense of renewal and calm. It invites listeners to embrace the tranquility and promise of the day ahead.
5. Honey
Despite the title seeming to evoke the viscous, sweet nature of the substance, this song is really actually a little personal reflection on the beautiful relationship between human and animal, and the astounding ability our furry friends have of calming our nervous system and bringing joy in even the darkest of moments. Honey was my cherished childhood labrador, and an inextricable part of our family and my emotional development.
6. Summertime
Languid, soft, slow, and yet somehow still flowing, “Summertime” talks of those infinite afternoons on the Australian East Coast, filled with nostalgia, old friends, forever family, and the deep peace of being intertwined with sun, salt, sand, and love.
7. Allen’s Song
Allen, my old neighbour, was a wonderful man and the reason I studied composition. In 2024 I told my partner I wanted to visit Allen as he had been on my mind. Sadly, Allen unexpectedly passed away before I could see him. I don’t know if he ever knew how profound his impact was on my life, and I’ve grieved the loss of the opportunity to tell him. As I tend to do, when I’m processing big things, I put it into my art.
Not long ago I visited Allen’s widow, Rhonda. I shared this story and played her the song. We cried and held each other in a moment of shared grief and magic. I don’t know how to express how grateful I am for the people and things in my life that impact me so, but I’m so grateful for the music that lets me say things in better ways than words. Allen, this one’s for you.
8. Undulate (solo piano)
“Undulate” captures the gentle ebb and flow of early morning sensations, as the mind drifts between dreams and wakefulness. The interplay and misplacement of the melody against the meter, mirrors the grey, stochastic waves of consciousness, evoking the intimate, hazy moments wrapped in sheets before the day fully begins.
9. Heart Things
“Heart Things” delves into the deeply personal emotions that reside within us all. This piece tenderly explores the complex, often unspoken feelings that shape our inner world. It invites listeners to connect with their own heart’s whispers, offering a musical embrace that is both intimate and reflective.
10. Sweet Yellow
“Sweet Yellow” is a gentle piece exploring lighter emotions, capturing the warmth and subtle emotional layers of sunlit moments. This piece travels through joy, introspection, and the nuanced beauty of life’s golden days.
11. Kirribilli (solo piano)
“Kirribilli”, named for the suburb of Sydney, is one of my favourite pieces in the collection. Sitting in the warmth of a home that has held me through seemingly insurmountable love, laughter, turbulence, grief, and, ultimately, colossal growth, I wrote this piece in one warm, nostalgic, and grateful afternoon, as I sung “Kirribilli” over and over again whilst my hands wandered the keys of my beloved piano. This one is so, so close to my heart, and I’m so pleased to share the absolute joy and gratefulness of this work and chapter in my life, with you.
