Composer in Residence 2007 announced

8 January

Composer in Residence 2007 announced

A former Victoria University staff member and high profile composer has been appointed as the New Zealand School of Music Composer in Residence for the 2007-08 period.

Ross Harris, who has made significant contributions to all musical genres including opera and orchestral music, will take over from current Composer in Residence, Lyell Cresswell, in July.

Mr Harris lectured in music at Victoria from 1971 to 2003. From 2005 to 2006 he was Composer in Residence at the Auckland Philharmonia.

Mr Harris has been a finalist in the SOUNZ Contemporary awards an unprecedented four times and won the award in 2000, 2005 and 2006. As Composer in Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia, he completed several major orchestral and chamber music works, including his widely acclaimed Symphony no.2, with the brilliant young soprano Madeleine Pierard as soloist.

Mr Harris says he is looking forward to his time at the New Zealand School of Music. “I consider it a great privilege to be appointed to the residency. Already several leading New Zealand composers have held the residency and it is great to be in such prestigious company. It is a fantastic opportunity to write a number of pieces with the generous support of the NZ School of Music.”

He plans to write three pieces during the time of the residence. Having already written three string quartets for the NZ String Quartet, he will be writing a fourth, and he is also planning a piece for the new music ensemble Stroma. “However, my main project will be to write my third symphony for the Auckland Philharmonia. They have scheduled it for performance in 2008 and I already find myself daydreaming about how it might sound.”

Associate Professor Jack Body says the School is thrilled to have Mr Harris as the Composer in Residence 2007-08.

“It’s great to have a composer of his calibre working amongst us this coming year. Ross has completed some outstanding work in the last few years, and it will be exciting to see what he produces during his residency. It will be a stimulating time both for him and for us.”

The NZSM Composer in Residence scheme was established in 2004, and is funded by the New Zealand School of Music and Creative New Zealand. The residency is also supported by a generous grant for three years from a private sponsor, Dr Jack Richards.

The scheme provides a creative environment for the resident composer, including an invitation to present a composer workshop, informal interactions with both staff and student composers and opportunities to have active contact with the large number of musical organisations and performing groups in the city.

Since 2005, Victoria University and Massey University have been operating a joint New Zealand School of Music (NZSM), a centre of musical excellence. The NZSM website is www.nzsm.ac.nz.

ENDS

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