'Advance Australia Fair' first performed
On 30 November 1878 Advance Australia Fair was performed for the first time.
The song was written by Peter Dodds McCormick, a Sydney school teacher, who was interested in choral music and all things Scottish. Earlier in the year he had attended a concert of national anthems and, dismayed by the lack of an Australian song, he began composing one on the bus on the way home. Advance Australia Fair was performed at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1 1901 but did not become the official national anthem until 1984.
Further compositions
The attached documents were found by staff researching WWI records in our collection.
Images 1 & 2: In the Premier's Department Letters Received Received McCormick sent this song An Australian Hymn to Premier Holman for his use. Whether it was used is unknown.
Image 3: This composition Are We Fainthearted? No! is also possibly by McCormick; it is written and composed by "Amicus" which is also part of the calling card in Image 1.
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Performance
Sunday Sessions curated by Music in Exile
Music in Exile curates three Sundays of intimate live music at Elizabeth Farm, spotlighting bold new voices reshaping Australian music
70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Sunday 11 October 2pm–5pm
House/Music
From June to August, we’re transforming our historic houses and museum spaces through a series of intimate and diverse live music experiences
House/Music
From June to August, we’re transforming our historic houses and museum spaces through a series of intimate and diverse live music experiences
Past event
House/Music: Hilary Geddes Quartet
Take a seat at the historic Justice & Police Museum and be transported through improvisation and sound as the Hilary Geddes Quartet play music from the album Redleaf. Hilary Geddes is an Australian guitarist and composer whose work moves between jazz, indie and experimental music
Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Friday 28 August 6pm–7pm