Composer - The Birds premiered by LEC at Beyond Bach, Italian Forum Cultural Centre, 2010; Ave Maria, Moorambilla Fanfare and Processional, both premiered by LEC at the Moorambilla Festival, 2010 David Basden has been involved in the Sydney music scene for 30 years, variously as a tuba- and electric bass-player, arranger, composer and producer.
He has had extensive involvement with the Midday Show, Musica Viva in Schools, and Monica and the Moochers. He co-wrote many of Monica Trapaga's children's songs, and was recipient of the 1993 APRA Children's Song of the Year award. He has performed and recorded with Mike Nock's 10-piece Big Small Band, and played here and in the U.S. with the 1920s-style New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra.
David now concentrates solely on composition. Recent pieces include:
• The NGA Fanfare (2010) - commissioned for the opening of the National Gallery of Australia extensions.
• The Waverley Fanfare (2009) - written for Paul Goodchild, to celebrate the Waverley Bondi Beach Band's 50th anniversary.
• various settings, for solo voice or choir, of poetry by John Donne, William Shakespeare, Christina Rossetti, Edward Lear, A.E. Housman, and the ever-popular Anonymous.
Born in 1960, Schultz studied at the Universities of Queensland and Pennsylvania and at King's College London and he has received awards, prizes and fellowships. His music covers a broad range of chamber, orchestral and vocal works and has been performed, recorded and broadcast widely by leading groups and musicians in Australia and overseas.
Andrew has written a number of large scale works including three operas (Black River, Going Into Shadows and The Children's Bach) that have been presented live and on film. Other major works include Journey to Horseshoe Bend and Song of Songs.
2004 Young Achiever Award winner Ben Van Tienen is an extremely talented and versatile artist. His first award, the Brenda Hean Memorial Award came in 1997 when he was only 14. The accolades have just kept coming for his singing and piano performances and recitals. He conducted his first musical at 16. The Leichhardt Espresso Chorus commissioned Find my Way from Ben for the Moorambilla Voices and LEC to perform at the 2009 Moorambilla Festival in Coonamble.
Elena Kats-Chernin is a prolific composer and one of Australia's most notable and awarded. Educated in Moscow, Hanover and Sydney, Elena received the Sounds Australian Award as well as the Jean Bogan Memorial Prize in 1996. In 2004, she was awarded Green Room and Helpmann Awards for the ballet score Wild Swans, choreographed by Meryl Tankard for the Australian Ballet. In the same year, she was awarded an Ian Potter Commission. She received a two-year Fellowship from the Australia Council in 2005.
Click below to hear a YouTube version of the first movement of the Baiame Ngunnhu suite performed by Moorambilla Voices and the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus at the 2009 Moorambilla Festival:
Composer - You Dead Kings Rising premiered by LEC in Luce - a concert of new Australian Music, CarriageWorks 2008
Sydney based, Australian Composer Gordons recent concert commissions include Mao's Last Dancer in Concert, Chaconne and Night Is What Remains (Australian Chamber Orchestra), Bass Trombone Concerto (Sydney Symphony) and many, many more.
Christopher has composed for many of Australia's major celebrations including the Opening Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games 2006. Also in 2006 he was commissioned by the Prime Minister of Australia to arrange the official version of the Australian National Anthem.
Christopher Gordon has written a number of scores for film and television, including the Emmy-nominated score for Salem's Lot, Sanctuary and Moby Dick. He also co-composed the score to Peter Weir's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His scores have received wide international acclaim and many Australian Screen Music Awards.
You Dead Kings Rising, inspired by Australia poet by Gwen Harwood, was commissioned in 2008 by the LEC.
Composer - Freshwater suite, Seven Deadly Sins, and many more works commissioned, premeiered and performed by LEC at St James Church Sydney and Moorambilla Festivals 2004 - 2010
Based in Sydney, he has had works commissioned and performed by such groups as The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Gondwana Voices, and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. In 2003 Dan was the Sydney Children’s Choir composer in residence and he has also been composer in residence at the 2006 to 2010 annual Moorambilla Festivals held in Coonamble.
The Leichhardt Espresso Chorus has commissioned a number of works from Dan Walker, including The Seven Deadly Sins, and several Christmas carols performed at Carols on Norton. He has also composed arrangements for ABC Classics and a new arrangement of Advance Australia Fair written for the official Darling Harbour 2005 Australia Day celebrations.
As a performer, Dan is a regular member of both Sydney Chamber Choir and Cantillation. He has also been a member of Baroque Opera company, Pinchgut, and is currently also a guest member of the Song Company.
Composer - Hodie Christus Natus Est, Lute Book Lullaby premiered at Carols On Norton in 2008; The Song of the Wandering Aengus and She Walks in Beauty premiered on ABC Classic FM's Sunday Live Series in 2009
Pianist, conductor, arranger, composer, accordionist, singer, her credits represent a healthy breadth of interest in all things musical. Conductor and pianist with Sydney Children's Choir and Gondwana Voices, she has performed with them all over the world. A former accompanist for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, she regularly plays for Sydney based professional choir Cantillation.
As an arranger, she has worked for Cantillation, Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus and Brisbane's Birralee Voices.
Sally is Musical Director of the newly formed Sydney Pop Choir and Artistic Director of queer choir Door in the Wall. A regular on Sydney's cabaret stage, she forms one half duo "Une Fois Seule!" writing, arranging and performing shows with Nadia Piave.
Composer - Outback suite premiered on LEC's Outback Tour in 2002
Paul began performing at the age of four, inheriting a keen interest in music from two generations of his family; on one side, classical and jazz, and on the other, country folk. Now accomplished on over twenty instruments Paul works as a composer and producer as well as performer with many arts groups including Sydney Dance Company, Colin Offord, The Renaissance Players, Sydney Children's Choir and Rainbow Circus.
Through music, Jarman celebrates a deep understanding of Australian culture and history, from ancient traditions to contemporary issues, migrant journeys, personal stories of achievement, the sounds of a vast landscape. Paul is a Musica Viva performing artist and cultural ambassador for the Department of Foreign Affairs with Australia's own Sirocco.
Paul has composed music for some of Australia's most unique events including the Centenary of Federation, the Bicentenary of the Battle of Vinegar Hill, Year of the Outback, the Olympic Arts Festival, the Rugby World Cup and the Australia Day Spectacular.
Paul is most well known for his choral music and original lyrics, commissioned by ensembles including Gondwana Voices, Sing NSW, the Sydney Children's Choir, Birralee Voices, The Department of Education, and Leichhardt Espresso Chorus.
Paul's body of work is a valuable document of the stories which have shaped our country
Stephen Leek's distinctive music is immediately recognizable, capturing the enigmas, rhythms, colours and ethos of Australia. Born in Sydney in 1959 and based in Queensland these past two decades, Leek is a freelance composer, conductor, educator and publisher. Within Australia and on the international circuit, he is in demand for commissions, residencies, workshops and guest conducting appearances. A pioneer in developing composer residencies, his involvement with numerous choral groups at every level of accomplishment has had vital influence on recent Australian music.
Among Stephen Leek's array of personal accolades is the prestigious Robert Edler International Prize for Choral Music. Cited by an international jury for his 'decisive influence' on both the Australian music scene and the international choral community as a composer and conductor, Leek has been admitted into the pantheon of leading choral composers and conductors worldwide.
Billie is a regular guest performer at LEC performances, particularly Carols on Norton. In addition to her performance role, she has composed several songs for the choir. Information about her work for us is provided on ourGuest Performers' page.
David Basden has been involved in the Sydney music scene for 30 years, variously as a tuba- and electric bass-player, arranger, composer and producer.
Luke Byrne