12 October 2010
Trans-Tasman residency for 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
© Australian Music Centre (2010) — Permission must be obtained from the AMC if you wish to reproduce this article either online or in print.
The Australian Music Centre connects people around the world to Australian composers and sound artists. By facilitating the performance, awareness and appreciation of music by these creative artists, it aims to increase their profile and the sustainability of their art form. Established in 1974, the AMC is now the leading provider of information, resources, materials and products relating to Australian new music.
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