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Brendan Colbert was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1956. He began studying piano at secondary college, where he also developed an interest in composition. After moving to Melbourne in 1975, he continued piano studies and worked with various experimental progressive-rock/fusion bands as a keyboard player and songwriter.

In the mid-1980s, he began private composition studies, first with Brenton Broadstock and then with Riccardo Formosa. He was selected twice for the National Orchestral Composers' School (with tutors Gerard Brophy, Richard Mills, and Carl Vine), and the experience resulted in premieres of Machinations (1991) and Jericho's Strange (1995) by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

The next few years saw the resolution and assimilation of disparate influences, with most works completed prior to Jericho's Strange being either significantly revised or withdrawn. His output currently comprises a substantial number of works, many of which have been performed and/or broadcast around Australia, Europe and the USA.

Numerous internationally acclaimed soloists and ensembles have commissioned, performed, and/or recorded Colbert's works. Major commissions include those from Symphony Australia - for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra - and from the US flautist Linda Wetherill (both with assistance from the Australia Council), with premieres of Eirenicon in Perth (2000), and Shades of Futures Past - a concerto for flute/alto flute/piccolo and small orchestra - in New York (2004).

Recent performances include the premieres of Sphinx (performed by ELISION and conducted by Mark Knoop in Melbourne, August 2008), Semplice (by Geoffrey Morris in Melbourne, November 2008), ...of two minds...(by Carla Rees and David Black in London, March 2009), ...floating in the void...(Arcko Symphonic Project, conducted by Timothy Phillips in Melbourne, May 2009), and Quicksand (by Michael Kieran Harvey in Melbourne, August 2009).

A number of works are available on CD, with several others pending release. Various scores are published by BMG Ariola and Red House Editions, and all other scores are available from the Australian Music Centre, or from the composer.

Brendan Colbert — current to September 2009