Matthew Hindson is one of the most successful and distinctive composers of his generation. His music often displays influences of popular music styles within a classical music context. The San Francisco Chronicle recently said of his works: ‘Hindson has amazing range. He could probably wring a concerto from the sound of a doorbell. His source material ranges from classical to Metallica to soothing melodic riffs that may have been extracted from an elevator. Best of all, it works.’
Matthew is a Lecturer in Music Technology and Multimedia in the Arts Music Unit of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, prior to which he was a teacher of composition for eleven years at MLC School. Aside from music composition, Matthew’s research interests include music for video games, particularly that written for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Matthew is the artistic director of the Aurora Festival, and his music is published by Faber Music.
For more information, see http://www.hindson.com.au
Music Composition Toolbox is written by some of Australia's most respected composers and music educators.
About the Authors
Damian Barbeler studied composition from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he studied with Gerard Brophy. Additional studies have been undertaken with Richard Meale, Nigel Westlake, and Richard Gill. He is currently undertaking a Ph.D. in composition under Michael Smetanin at the University of Sydney, and his music is performed and broadcast nationally and internationally.
Education has always been a central part of Barbeler’s professional career. He has tutored at university and secondary level. He has designed and conducting workshops in creativity, leadership and team building with national corporations including Arnott’s Biscuits, the Commonwealth Bank, The Sydney Benevolent Society and the Queensland Catholic Education Department.
Barbeler’s Master of Music thesis ‘Experiential Learning in Composition’ is demonstrative of his education philosophy. He believes by engaging the individual physically, mentally and emotionally deeper learning outcomes can be achieved, leading to greater engagement with the subject, and ultimately the broader ‘love of learning.’ Damian is currently composer in residence with MLC School Burwood, a position he has held since 1998.
Diana Blom studied music at the University of Canterbury (NZ), the University of Sydney and the University of Michigan. Her compositions include chamber music for several combinations, two of which have been published by Orpheus Music. She has an interest in Australian writers and has set words of David Malouf, Helen Garner and Peter Goldsworthy to music.
Diana has been composer-in-residence with Opera Australia for whom she was commissioned to write a children’s opera, and many of her music theatre works have been performed in schools in Australian and Hong Kong.
Diana is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Communication Art at the University of Western Sydney. She plays harpsichord and piano and has had articles published in many music education journals. Diana is currently on the Board of the International Music Education Society.
photo: Christine Myers
photo: Bridget Eliott
