David Banney : Associate Artist
Photo: Catherine Banney
Composer, conductor and pedagogue David Banney is a past winner of the ABC Young Composer's Competition, with a repertoire that includes orchestral, choral, chamber and film music. Acclaimed for a style that engages audiences and performers alike, his music has been performed by artists including William Barton (yidaki), David Rowden (clarinet), Susan Collins (violin), Sally Walker (flute), Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo-soprano) and Anthea Scott-Mitchell (cello). He has been commissioned by a range of organisations and individuals, including the Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW Doctors Orchestra, Catholic Diocese of Newcastle, Newcastle Music Festival, Sally Walker, Elizabeth Seysener and Georgina Hoddle.
Significant works include pieces for string orchestra (In Memoriam PM: Prelude, Lament and Dance, Lady With Red Hat), symphony orchestra (Celebration, Three Japanese Pictures), chamber ensemble (Strong Woman Dreaming, Triste, Meditation), choir (Missa Pace, Tigers and Teapots) and documentary film (Understanding Stillbirth, Spitfire Memories).
David has composed numerous mass settings and other works for the Anglican liturgy, spanning a range of levels from professional choir to congregational settings. His mass settings embrace a range of styles, with a variety of accompaniments, including organ, Celtic band, strings and wind quintet. His choral music includes works for children as well as adults, and his anthem 'Little Lamb' is published by Crescendo Music.
David's output includes a significant body of work for young musicians, especially based on Kodály principles and the Colourstrings Violin Curriculum. 'Tigers and Teapots', a collection of arrangements of children's songs, has become a regular feature of the Adelaide Symphony's education program. His music for young players includes works for string orchestra, concertini for violin and viola, chamber music and technical curricula based on duos and trios.
A past winner of the ABC Australian Young Conductor of the Year, David has conducted many of Australia's leading ensembles, including the Queensland Symphony, Queensland Philharmonic, West Australian Symphony, Adelaide Symphony, Opera Queensland and the Queensland Ballet. He is the Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, Artistic Director of the Christ Church Camerata, and was the founding Director of the Newcastle Music Festival. David is an acclaimed educator, from primary to post-graduate, and known to ABC radio audiences through Banney's Baton Banter, a weekly discussion about life and music with Paul Bevan that ran for more than 300 episodes.
Biography provided by the composer — current to July 2024