August 2005

2005 Trans-Tasman Composer Exchange Residency

The Australian Music Centre, in collaboration with SOUNZ, the Centre for New Zealand Music, established the Trans-Tasman composer exchange residency in 2003 to further develop music relationships between the two countries. This year, they are happy to announce that New Zealand composer James GARDNER will be the 2005 Trans-Tasman composer exchange resident with Brisbane-based ELISION Ensemble. Jim will travel to Brisbane in October 2005 for several weeks and will work with ELISION at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. Daryl BUCKLEY, artistic director of ELISION commented that he has been "aware of the work and vibrancy of composition of Jim Gardner for several years now, and welcomes the opportunity to engage with his artistic imagination and to have the opportunity of developing music specifically written for the virtuosity of the ELISION musicians."

James GARDNER moved to New Zealand from Britain a decade ago and has built a reputation as one of New Zealand's leading contemporary composers. He has given guest lectures in New Zealand, Spain and the United States and lectured on electronic music at the University of Auckland. Jim Gardner is the director of the Auckland-based contemporary music ensemble 175 East. The group has gained an international reputation and given many acclaimed world premiere performances of music by New Zealand and overseas composers.

ELISION is Australia's premier New Music ensemble. Since its formation in 1986, the ensemble has established a strong and distinctive international presence in new music performance touring extensively to Berlin, Oslo, Paris, Tokyo and Bremen. ELISION has developed innovative projects in the areas of contemporary opera, site-specific installation, improvisation and electronic music. In total, they have premiered over a hundred and twenty new works.

The 2003 Trans-Tasman composer exchange residency saw New Zealand composer Gareth FARR in residence with Australia's vocal ensemble The Song Company, resulting in a number of works. A special `sold-out' concert was held at Government House, Sydney in February this year, with The Song Company performing to great acclaim Gareth's setting of texts by esteemed Australian poet Les MURRAY.

The 2004 residency saw West Australian James LEDGER spend a month with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The performance of a new orchestral work by James will take place in Christchurch in November 2005.

The 2003 and 2005 Trans-Tasman Composer Exchange Residencies are made possible by the support of Creative New Zealand and SOUNZ, The Centre for New Zealand Music. The 2004 Residency was made possible by the Music Board of the Australia Council for the Arts and the NSW Ministry for the Arts.