Dorothy Buchanan (composer) facts for kids

Dorothy Quita Buchanan is a well-known composer and teacher from New Zealand. She was born on September 28, 1945. She has created many different types of music.

About Dorothy Buchanan's Life

Dorothy Buchanan was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. She was one of six daughters in a family that loved music. She went to St Mary's College. Later, she studied music at the University of Canterbury. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1967. She also got a teaching degree from Christchurch Teachers' College in 1975.

Dorothy married David Carroll. He was a doctor. They had one child together.

After her studies, Dorothy worked as a pianist. She also composed music. She taught music and played the violin. She even played with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Dorothy's Work in Music Education

Dorothy Buchanan has done a lot for music education. In 1976, she became New Zealand's first "composer-in-schools." This meant she helped students learn about composing music. She worked in this role until 1993. She has also been a guest speaker and a judge for music events. She helped teachers and advised groups like Creative New Zealand.

In 1979, she became the president of the Composers’ Association of New Zealand. She also started the Christchurch Music Workshops. In 1980, she helped create Nota Bene. This group shares music with schools and communities. From 1984 to 1993, Dorothy was the composer in residence at the New Zealand Film Archive. This meant she wrote music for films there.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Dorothy Buchanan has received many awards for her music. In 1995, she won the Philip Neill Memorial Prize. This was for her work called Fragments and Letters. She also received an award from the Composers Association of New Zealand. She got the Vernon Griffiths Memorial Award for her great leadership in music.

In 1993, she received the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal. This medal honored her contributions. In 2001, she was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This is a special honor given for services to music.

Selected Musical Works

Dorothy Buchanan writes music for many different groups. She composes for school choirs and string groups. She also writes for dance and theater shows. Her music includes operas, film scores, and television scores. Some of her well-known works are:

• Clio Legacy, an opera based on a story by Witi Ihimaera
• Woman at the Store, an opera based on a story by Katherine Mansfield
• The Mansfield Stories, another opera based on stories by Katherine Mansfield
• The Ancient of Days for voice and piano