James Wade : Associate Artist
Artist website: http://www.jameswade.com.au
James Wade was born in Melbourne and educated at the University of Melbourne. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 2001, having studied philosophy, psychology and music history prior to turning his attention seriously towards music. Initially studying voice with Steven Grant, then composition under Stuart Greenbaum, Johanna Selleck and Brenton Broadstock, he graduated again from the University of Melbourne in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and the Esther Rofe Award for composition. He was mentored by Brett Dean during the Cybec 21st Century Composers' Program (2006), Paul Stanhope in the KPO composers' workshop (2006) and worked with Richard Mills, Kenneth Young, Andrew Schultz, James Ledger and Maria Grenfell in the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Australian Composers' School (2006).
Wade developed an interest in music comparatively late which allowed his compositions to be largely influenced by philosophical and abstract ideas more than by other composers or genres of music. Themes relating to environment, identity and the nature of life feature prominently in his work.
Wade's music has been broadcast and performed around Australia by a range of individuals and ensembles including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He has received commissions from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the St Mary's College Choir and the British Music Society of Victoria. Wade's major works include a number of orchestral pieces and a chamber opera as well as numerous other pieces for solo instrumentalists and small chamber groups. He is a member of the Melbourne Composers' League and an Associate Composer with the Australian Music Centre. In 2007, he will be Composer in Residence at Arthur Boyd's property, Bundanon.
Biography provided by the composer — current to December 2006