Gillian Bibby facts for kids
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Gillian Margaret Bibby (born August 31, 1945 – died August 7, 2023) was a talented New Zealander. She was a composer, meaning she wrote music. She was also a pianist, a writer, and a teacher.
Gillian was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. She studied music at the University of Otago and Victoria University. One of her teachers was the famous composer Douglas Lilburn. She later continued her studies in cities like Berlin and Cologne. There, she learned from other important musicians.
After her studies, Gillian Bibby worked in New Zealand. She played the piano, wrote music, and taught music. She also taught at universities.
About Gillian Bibby's Life
Gillian Bibby was very involved in music groups. She helped lead many organisations that supported music. She also started the CHAMPS Trust. This group helped young people get chances to learn and play music.
Awards and Recognition
Gillian Bibby won several special awards for her music. These included the Philip Neill prize and the Kranichsteiner prize for her compositions. She also received the Darmstadt prize for new music.
In 2020, Gillian Bibby received a big honour from New Zealand. She was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This award was given to her for all her great work. It recognised her contributions to music and teaching music.
Gillian Bibby passed away in Wellington on August 7, 2023.
Her Musical Works
Gillian Bibby wrote many different kinds of music. She composed pieces for orchestras and for smaller groups of instruments. She also wrote songs and even an opera for children.
Some of her well-known works include:
- Sanctuary of Spirits, which was a children's opera.
- The Beasts, a collection of songs.
Her music has also been recorded. You can find her compositions on CDs. Some of these recordings include:
- Life, Love and Death
- The Songs of the Morning: a story of music in early Antarctica
