In this episode, Music 1 HSC Strategy Stage 6 Curriculum Advisor Alex Manton speaks with Australian composers Holly Harrison and Jessica Wells about two of their works performed by Australia's leading art music ensemble, 'Ensemble Offspring'. Also joining the discussion is the Artistic Director and percussionist of Ensemble Offspring, Claire Edwardes. Listen to an insightful discussion that unlocks the compositional process used in two Australian music compositions of the last 25 years through the composer and performer lens.
NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR
Music teaching resources can be found on the Creative Arts Curriculum website https://bit.ly/CACurriculum
Guest bios
Holly Harrison is a composer, educator and drummer from Western Sydney whose music explores the juxtaposition of styles and genres. Holly specialises in music for wind band, orchestra and chamber ensembles.
Jessica Wells has obtained a Master of Music in composition from the Sydney Conservatorium and a Master of Arts in Screen Composition from AFTRS. Her career has blossomed as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger for concerts, films, theatre and album recordings. Jess' concert works range from solo harp through to full symphony orchestra.
Claire Edwardes has performed on the set of Play School to the mainstage at the Sydney Opera House, and has been coined 'the sorceress of percussion' (City News, Canberra). She is the only Australian to win the 'APRA Art Music Award for Excellence by an Individual' three times and is the recent recipient of an Order of Australia. Claire leaps between her role as Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring and concerto performances with all of the Australian and New Zealand orchestras plus numerous European orchestras.