Composition
Head: Dr Stuart Greenbaum
Lecturer: Dr Elliott Gyger
Composition teachers: Julian Yu, Brett Dean, Johanna Selleck, Andrian Pertout, Mark Elliott and Adam Starr.
Studying at the Faculty of Music was one of the best things for a student who knew that he wanted to study the art of musical composition, but had up to that point only nipped the tip of the iceberg. My eyes were opened to many styles of music I had never heard before. I was able to collaborate with people with like minds and organise concerts and other various presentations of our work.
(Lorenzo Alvaro)
Overview
Composition in all styles is encouraged and nurtured through a weekly seminar and regular group and individual lessons. Emphasis is placed on the use, understanding and appreciation of the compositional techniques advanced in the past 100 years, including electronic music.
Performance opportunities
Performance opportunities are available through the Australian Contemporary Chorale, the New Audience Ensemble, the Faculty Orchestra and other faculty ensembles and soloists in several composition concerts held each semester.
Awards and prizes
The Faculty administers a number of prestigious composition awards for its own students as well as for composers nationally. These include the Albert H. Maggs Composition Award, the Dorian Le Galliene Composition Award, the Esther Rofe Award and the Zavod classical/jazz fusion Award.
Distinguished past staff and students
The Faculty of Music has had a distinguished history of composition staff including Brenton Broadstock, Stephen Ingham, Barry Conyngham, Peter Tahourdin and Keith Humble. Notable alumni include Peter Sculthorpe, Mary Finsterer, Matthew Hindson, Chris Dench, Robert Casteels, Colin Brumby, Helen Gifford, Brian Howard, Graham Hair, David Joseph, Liza Lim, Christine McCombe, Lawrence Whiffin, Kevin Purcell, Katy Abbott and Natalie Williams.
Visiting composers and performers
The Composition Department organizes regular concerts, workshops and seminars with visiting composers and performers. In recent years, the Faculty has featured composer residencies with Don Freund (Indiana), Jerome Kitzke (New York), John McCabe (UK), Richard Mills, Vincent Plush and Ros Bandt. Other guests have included notable identities such as Paul Grabowsky, Philip Glass, Peteris Vasks, David Chesworth, Graeme Koehne, Michael Kieran Harvey, Carl Vine and Marshall McGuire.
Courses
Graduate study in composition is available at several levels. More information about courses, entry requirements and application procedures can be found in the University handbook: