Helen Bowater facts for kids
Helen Bowater, born on November 16, 1952, is a talented composer from New Zealand. She grew up in Wellington in a family that loved music. From a young age, she learned to play the piano and violin.
Helen studied music history and ethnomusicology at Victoria University of Wellington, earning her degree in 1982. She then continued to learn about electroacoustic music and composition.
Musical Journey
Helen played in a special musical group called the Gamelan Padhang Moncar at Victoria University. A gamelan is a traditional musical group from Indonesia, mostly made up of percussion instruments like gongs and metallophones. Her piece Tembang Matjapat (1999) combines gamelan sounds with Western string and percussion instruments.
Working as a Musician
After finishing her studies, Helen worked as a singer, pianist, and violinist. She performed with different groups and choirs. She also played in rock bands like Extra Virgin Orchestra and pHonk.
Helen was invited to be a special guest composer at several places. She worked at the Nelson School of Music in 1992 and at Otago University in 1993. In 1994, she was the composer-in-residence with the Auckland Philharmonia. She also held this role at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University, from 2008 to 2009.
Helen has written articles for music journals, and her music has been performed all around the world.
Awards and Recognitions
Helen Bowater has received many honors and awards for her musical work. These awards celebrate her talent and contributions to music.
- Auckland Philharmonia Graduate Composer Workshops 1992
- Mozart Fellowship at Otago University 1993
- Auckland Philharmonia Composer in Residence 1994
- CANZ Trust Fund Award 1997
- SOUNZ Contemporary Award 1999
- SOUNZ Community Commission 2001
- NZSO-SOUNZ Readings 2003
- NZSO-SOUNZ Readings 2006
- Creative New Zealand/Jack C Richards Composer Residency, New Zealand School of Music 2008
Selected Musical Pieces
Helen Bowater has composed many different types of music. Here are some of her well-known works:
- Banshee for two violins, cello, and piano
- He does not come, a setting of five poems for a soprano singer and an ensemble
- Ixion's Wheel for B flat clarinet and piano
- Lautari for solo violin
- New Year Fanfare for orchestra
- River of Ocean for a full orchestra
- Urwachst for orchestra
- Wire Dogs for solo piano
- Nekhbet for solo piano
- Monkey for Chinese sheng (a type of mouth organ), Gamelan Padhang Moncar, a singer, and a string quartet
