It took me until my mid-forties to recognise the wisdom contained in the farming-related ethics I grew up with. I now fully appreciate what my father was trying to pass on in exposing his family to a life in the country. There is a richness of wellbeing that is all — but unattainable in the melee of urban sprawl, and he, having spent his own childhood holidays on a farm in Milburn Otago New Zealand, intimately knew the value of this experience. This piece, which has taken several years to complete, is a gift for my wonderful parents Brian and Clare Coulter, who in 2016 celebrate their 75th and 70th birthdays (respectively), as well as their 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary.

The saying “make hay while the sun shines” expresses an attitude that can be literally translated as: “if you have an opportunity to do something, do it before the opportunity expires.” This code reflects a small part of the lifetime of learning and discovery that comes from living and working in a farming community.

While the Sun Shines was a finalist at the 9th Biennial Acousmatic Composition Competition Métamorphoses (Brussels, Belgium, 2016).

Awards

• Finalist, 9th Biennial Acousmatic Composition Competition Métamorphoses 2016, Ohain (Belgium)