Rainbow Warrior composer visits New Zealand

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Rainbow Warrior composer visits New Zealand

Australian composer Colin Bright arrives in New Zealand today to take up the 2006 Trans-Tasman Composer Exchange which will see him spending time in residence with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Colin Bright is an important figure in the Australian musical landscape. His music – often driven by socio-political issues -– explores aspects of place both physically and psychologically. An example is his highly successful one act opera from 1994, The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior. Bright has achieved great success as a composer having received Fellowships from the Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council, as well as numerous commissions from Australia's leading ensembles. His music has been performed and broadcast in 27 countries throughout the world.

Bright will visit New Zealand three times over the next 18 months to work with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Not only will they premiere a new work which he will write especially for them, but next April they have also programmed his orchestral suite, Oceania, which is taken from his opera The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior. Through both SOUNZ and the APO he will also have opportunities to meet local musicians and composers including attending the NZSO-SOUNZ Readings in Wellington this week.

The Trans-Tasman Composer Exchange is a project of SOUNZ, the Centre for New Zealand Music and the Australian Music Centre which aims to promote the music of Australia and New Zealand to a wider audience and enrich collegial and artistic contact between Australian and New Zealand composers. Previous recipients have included Gareth Farr, James Ledger and James Gardner who have worked with The Song Company, Christchurch Symphony and Brisbane-based ensemble, Elision.

ENDS

About the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is Auckland’s resident professional symphony orchestra and in 2005 celebrated its 25th anniversary. The APO has developed a reputation for innovative programming and wide-ranging activities. It presents more than 60 of its own concerts each year – ranging from classical to pops to baby proms – in addition to major engagements with visiting solo artists, outdoor and public concerts, and special events. The APO also accompanies performances by leading choirs and resident and international opera and ballet companies. Its extensive education programme, commitment to musical programmes for all ages, and promotion of New Zealand music and musicians, has secured the APO a large following and enthusiastic audiences.
Website: www.aucklandphil.co.nz

About the Australian Music Centre

The Australian Music Centre is a national organisation which serves to foster Australian composition by working with, and on behalf of, Australian composers and creative musicians to advance the dissemination of their work. Established in 1974 to facilitate and encourage the performance and understanding of music by Australian composers throughout the world, the Centre has grown to become the leading provider of information, publications and scores relating to Australian music.
The Centre receives core support from the Commonwealth Government through the Music Board of the Australia Council, the Australiasian Performing Right Association and the New South Wales Ministry for the Arts. The Australian Music Centre is a member of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC).
Website: www.amcoz.com.au

About SOUNZ, the Centre for New Zealand Music

SOUNZ provides, fosters and promotes music by New Zealand composers and achieves this through services and projects which:

- encourage the creation, performance, publication, recording and broadcast of music by New Zealand composers

- ensure a comprehensive collection of information and music resources are developed and maintained and made available for loan, perusal and purchase

- embrace the roles of advocate, facilitator and partner in national and international contexts.

The Centre currently holds the largest accessible collection of music by NZ composers in the world.
SOUNZ is a charitable trust and receives major recurrent funding from Creative New Zealand, Australasian Performing Right Association and through Phonographic Performances NZ Ltd. The Centre is a member of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC).
Website: www.sounz.org.nz

About Colin Bright
Weblinks:
http://www.amcoz.com.au/composers/composer.asp?id=194
www.brightmusic.net

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