Colin Brumby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colin James Brumby
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | June 18, 1933 Melbourne, Australia
|
| Died | January 3, 2018 (aged 84) Brisbane, Australia
|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Composer, conductor |
Colin James Brumby (born June 18, 1933 – died January 3, 2018) was a famous Australian composer and conductor. He wrote many different kinds of music.
Contents
About Colin Brumby
Colin Brumby was born in Melbourne, Australia. He went to school there and later studied music at the University of Melbourne. He was very talented in music from a young age. In 1953, he was a finalist in a singing competition. He also played the organ at a church.
Before he traveled to Europe in 1962, he taught music in schools in Queensland. He even led the music department at a teacher's college. In Europe, he learned more about composing music from famous teachers in Spain and London.
When he came back to Australia, he joined the music team at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. He stayed in Brisbane for the rest of his life. He became a professor there and retired in 1998. Colin Brumby was one of the first composers from Brisbane to become well-known around the world.
From 1968 to 1971, Colin Brumby was the music director for the Queensland Opera Company. He helped bring new operas to Australia for the first time. He also wrote many fun operettas for children. These included The Wise Shoemaker and Rita and Dita and the Pirate. These shows were very popular. They toured to 400 schools and were seen by 75,000 children!
Colin Brumby's music was recognized internationally. In 1965, one of his pieces, Fibonacci Variations, was considered for a big international music festival. He earned his Doctorate of Music in 1971. Later, he went to Rome to study composition even more.
He won many important awards for his music. In 1969, he won the Albert H. Maggs Composition Award. In 1981, he received an Advance Australia Award for his contributions to music. He also won the Don Banks Music Award in 1990. This is one of Australia's highest honors for musicians.
Colin Brumby wrote many different types of music. This included operas, concertos for various instruments, symphonies, and music for ballets and films. He also wrote many songs and pieces for choirs. His wife, Jenny Dawson, often wrote the stories for his operettas.
Colin Brumby's personal notes and stories are kept safe at the State Library of Queensland. He passed away in Brisbane on January 3, 2018.
Colin Brumby's Music
Colin Brumby created a wide range of musical works. Here are some examples of his compositions:
Stage Works
These are musical plays, often like mini-operas.
- The Wise Shoemaker (1968) – a children's operetta
- Rita and Dita and the Pirate (1969) – another children's operetta
- The Marriage Machine (1972) – a one-act opera
- The Bunyip – an operetta
- The Haunted House of Highgate Hill – an operetta
Ballets
- Alice (1989) – commissioned by the Queensland Ballet company.
Orchestral Works
These are pieces for a full orchestra.
- The Phoenix and the Turtle (1974) – for string orchestra and harpsichord.
- Fibonacci Variations (1963)
- Paean (1982) – a special piece for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
- South Bank Overture (1984) – written for the opening of a concert hall in Brisbane.
Choral Works
These are pieces written for choirs to sing.
- Victimae Paschali – commissioned by Pro Musica in Brisbane.
- Three Baroque Angels – written for a big student choral festival.
- This is the Vine – for a large religious event.
- Missa Sanctae Ceciliae – a mass for choir and organ.
- Ten New Carols for Advent and Christmas
Chamber Works
These are pieces for a small group of instruments.
- The Seven Ages of Man – for a wind quintet (five wind instruments).
- String quartet (1968) – for four string instruments.
- Bassoon Concerto (1982) – a piece featuring the bassoon.
- 4 Miniatures – for flute and piano.
Piano Music
- Harlequinade
Organ Music
- Captain Logan's Fancy
- "Theme and Variations on Moreton Bay"
- Toccata
Awards
Colin Brumby received several important awards for his contributions to music.
Don Banks Music Award
The Don Banks Music Award is a very special award in Australia. It honors a great artist who has made a huge and lasting impact on music in the country.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Colin Brumby | Don Banks Music Award | Won |
Sources
- Australian Music Centre biography of Colin Brumby
- Operone
- Cantica Nova Publications
- Colin Brumby Oral History and Digital Story 1950–2014, State Library of Queensland
- Albert H. Maggs Composition Awards
- Australian Music Centre notice of death of Colin Brumby
- Cloud Hymnal
