Julia Usher facts for kids

Julia Usher (born in 1945) is a talented musician, composer, and project leader from England. She is especially known for creating music for plays and shows, which is called musical theater. Besides writing music, she also helps people through music as a music therapist.

About Julia Usher

Julia Usher started her music journey by studying at York University and Cambridge. She learned from a teacher named Robert Sherlaw Johnson. After finishing her studies with a Master of Arts degree, she lived and worked in London.

In 1980, Julia Usher helped start a company called Primavera with Enid Luff, a composer from Wales. This company helped composers publish their music. In 1987, she was also a founding member of an important group called Women in Music. Julia has worked with many different music groups, like Sounds Positive and the Nash Ensemble. In the 1980s, she also worked with Derek Shiel, an artist who created sound sculptures and paintings.

In 1999, Julia Usher moved to Colchester. Since 2001, she has focused on creating music projects for communities in North Essex. She even worked as a Composer in Residence with the Colchester Youth Chamber Orchestra. As part of a special "Lullaby Project" in Colchester, she helped record and translate traditional folk songs from different cultures into English.

Julia's music has won several awards, including the Wangford Festival Prize and a prize from the British Clavichord Society. Her work has been released on CDs and DVDs. She has also led music therapy sessions for an organization called Nordoff-Robbins, helping people through the power of music.

Julia Usher's Musical Works

Julia Usher is known for her creative musical pieces. One review in the London Evening Standard newspaper talked about her work with artist Derek Shiel:

"Julia Usher found a way to write music for these unique sound objects. This led to many collaborations, like 'A Celebration of Blake's Vision' in 1987. They also did 'Soundpaint' performances where Usher played music while Shiel painted live."

Here are some of Julia Usher's selected musical works:

• 1980 A Reed in the Wind (for Solo Oboe) – This piece won the Wangford Festival Prize.
• 1986 The Orford Merman (Music Theatre)
• 1989 Marak (Piano Solo) – Four short, abstract pieces for piano.
• 1993 Sacred Conversations (for mixed ensemble)
• 1996 Genetic Code (orchestral piece)
• 2001 Before Light Ends (Piano Solo)
• 2002 Lost Icons (Wind quintet)
• 2002 Magnificat – This was commissioned by Women in Music for the Millennium celebration.
• 2004 Clavicle (for Clavichord) – This piece won a prize from the British Clavichord Society.
• 2005 Periodic Table lll (for clarinet, oboe, viola, piano)
• 2005 Unruly Sun (for violin, cello, harpsichord) – Commissioned by the Semley Festival.
• 2007 Malkin (Theatre Piece for chamber ensemble)

She has also created other works, including:

• Constellations (1980) – A suite for solo flute.
• SoundPaint (1995–98) – A live improvisation performance piece.
• The Lullaby Project – A project focused on lullabies from around the world.

Recordings of Julia Usher's Music

You can find Julia Usher's music on these recordings:

• Sacred Physic: Music by Julia Usher (2004) – An audio CD featuring Julia Usher and other musicians.
• Touching the Wall (2007) – A DVD showing a performance of Usher's Clavicle with synchronized graphics.
• Selected Oboe Exam Recordings (2006) – Features some of her music for oboe exams.