Symphonic schools journey as orchestra asks Are We There Yet?

Composer David John Lang has set one of Alison Lester’s popular picture books to music for a world premiere schools show by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra musicians Jackie Newcomb (contrabassoon), Dean Newcomb (clarinet) and Gemma Phillips (cello) warm up for its schools show Are We There Yet? at Seacliff. Picture: Matt Turner.

• Tandanya marks 30 years with a return to Utopia for exhibition
• Grug marks up the milestones with Windmill Theatre

A MUSICAL answer to one of children’s most persistent questions can be found in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s new schools show, Are We There Yet?

The world premiere production adapts the best-selling picture book by Alison Lester, which the ASO has had set to music by Adelaide composer David John Lang.

Based on an actual journey, the story follows eight-year-old Grace and her family’s adventurous three-month trip around Australia in their Poppa’s old camper trailer.

Are We There Yet? Adelaide Symphony Orchestra musicians Gemma Phillips (cello), Dean Newcomb (clarinet) and Jackie Newcomb (contrabassoon) with the Newcomb’s caravan “Billie Holiday” at Seacliff. Picture: Matt Turner.

Lang wanted his music to evoke all the excitement and drama of a big family road trip.

“I want the audience to feel like they’re on an adventure,” he said.

“I also want them to hear the music as a natural accompaniment to all these places that Alison Lester’s words and drawings bring to life so well – and to realise just how richly expressive and evocative music can be, too.”

The children’s book Are We There Yet? by author and illustrator Alison Lester.

ASO contrabassoon player Jackie Newcomb and her clarinetist husband Dean are avid travellers who have their own vintage caravan, affectionately named “Billie Holiday” after the iconic US jazz singer.

Are We There Yet? will be performed for schools across metropolitan Adelaide later in October.