Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Image: Michael Norris  
© www.michaelnorris.info

New Zealand composer Michael Norris has been selected as the 2011 Trans-Tasman Composer Residency Exchange participant.

Michael Norris is a Wellington-based composer who holds composition degrees from Victoria University of Wellington and City University, London. He has held the positions of Composer-in-Residence with the Southern Sinfonia and the Mozart Fellowship, and currently lectures in composition at the New Zealand School of Music. In 2003, Michael won the Douglas Lilburn Prize, a nationwide competition for orchestral composers.

The 2011 Trans Tasman residency is being hosted by Ensemble Offspring, one of Australia's premier new music ensembles. Norris will be working with the ensemble from November 2010, to plan a new work commissioned as part of the residency.

Damien Ricketson, Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring said:

'Ensemble Offspring prides itself on keeping abreast of the latest musical developments from around the world. However, when it comes to international repertoire and commissions, it is easy to gaze to far-off cultural centres and forget to look a little closer to home. The music of Wellington-based Michael Norris is sophisticated and insightful and cuts it with the best on offer from around the globe. Thanks to the Trans-Tasman Composer Exchange, Ensemble Offspring is thrilled to collaborate with Michael on the development of a new work that will feature prominently in our 2012 program of exciting music.'

Michael Norris said: 'Naturally, I'm very excited about the opportunity to work with Ensemble Offspring. Their current programming demonstrates a diverse range of interests within contemporary music, and their playing is nuanced and imaginative. I look forward to developing a fairly substantial piece that will really utilise the strengths of their players.'

The Trans-Tasman Composer Residency Exchange is a partnership between SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, and the Australian Music Centre. It was initiated in 2003 to facilitate opportunities for Australian and New Zealand composers and ensembles. Past participants include Gareth Farr (NZ) hosted by The Song Company; James Ledger (WA) hosted by the Christchurch Symphony; Jim Gardner (NZ) hosted by the Elision Ensemble; Colin Bright (NSW) hosted by the Auckland Philharmonia; Kenneth Young (NZ) hosted by the Tasmanian Symphony and Stuart Greenbaum (VIC) hosted by the NZTrio.
The project has been supported by Creative NZ and the Music Board of the Australia Council.

Further links

Trans-Tasman Composer Exchage Program (www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/about/transtasman)
News item about the residency on SOUNZ website
Michael Norris (SOUNZ)
Michael Norris (homepage)
Ensemble Offspring (www.ensembleoffspring.org.au)
'Trans-Tasman blog' - article on Resonate by Stuart Greenbaum about his 2009 residency
'Trans-Tasman blog 2' by Stuart Greengaum
'Trans-Tasman exchange' - article on Resonate by Kenneth Young about his 2007 residency