Helen Fisher (composer) facts for kids

Helen Wynfreda Fisher, born in 1942, is a talented composer and music teacher from New Zealand. She creates amazing music that often mixes traditional Māori sounds with European styles.

About Helen Fisher

Helen Fisher grew up in a place called Māpua, near Nelson, New Zealand. She went to high school in Wellington. In 1964, she finished her studies at the University of Canterbury. She earned a degree in English.

After university, Helen taught English, music, and French. She taught in high schools in both New Zealand and Canada. She also raised three daughters. Even with a busy family life, she kept studying music. She learned from famous composers like Ross Harris at Victoria University of Wellington.

Early Music Success

Helen started winning awards for her music. In 1987, she won first prize in a competition at Victoria University. Her winning piece was called Woodwind Trio. Two years later, in 1989, she won second prize for her work Pounamu.

She finished her music studies in 1991. After that, she started working full-time as a composer. Her music has been played in many different countries around the world.

From 1990 to 1991, Helen was a "Composer-in-Schools" in Wellington. This meant she helped students learn about composing music. In 1993, she helped start something very special. It was the first festival in New Zealand just for women composers.

Helen's Music

Helen Fisher's music is special because it often brings together two different cultures. She blends traditional Māori sounds and instruments with European music styles. She writes music for many different groups. These include singers, musical instruments, and even dance shows.

Selected Musical Pieces

Here are some of the musical works Helen Fisher has created:

• Te Tangi A Te Matui (1986)
• Woodwind trio (1987)
• Pounamu (1989) for a choir with different voices, a solo alto singer, and a koauau (a traditional Māori flute)
• Taku Wana (1998) for two mezzo-soprano singers, a Kai-karanga (a Māori ceremonial caller), taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments), a flute, a bodhran (a type of drum), and a string quartet (four string instruments)
• Tete Kura (2000)
• Otari (2005) for a solo harp
• Bone of Contention, a dance piece for a mezzo-soprano singer and other instruments
• Ko Wharepapa Te Maunga for eight brass instruments
• Matairangi-1 for cello and piano
• Matairangi-2 for flute, viola, and harp
• Muriranga-whenua for two flutes
• Nga Taniwha a bicultural (two-culture) work for dance and school musicians
• Nga Tapuwae o Kupe (The Footprints of Kupe) for a school choir, instruments, and dance
• String Quartet

Her music has also been recorded and put on CDs. Some of these include:

• Matairangi – Helen Fisher Chamber Music
• Taku Wana – The Enduring Spirit, Atoll