Composer Development
The Composer Development program provides a major training opportunity for young Australian Composers in collaboration with Orchestra Victoria.
The program was first offered in 2003 and designed to provide talented composers with the opportunity to learn more about writing music for symphony orchestras.
Dr Richard Mills AM (see biography below) is the Course Director and each year works with a small number of composers, leading a series of workshops with sections of the orchestra.
Sessions include playing and discussion of orchestra excerpts to develop participants' knowledge of the orchestra and orchestral writing techniques.
Composers then work towards completion of a short work of professional standard for performance by Orchestra Victoria.
Applications for 2007/2008 have now closed.
Dr Richard Mills AM
Richard Mills is one of Australia's most sought after composers and music directors. He is Artistic Director of West Australian Opera, Artistic Consultant with Orchestra Victoria and Director of the TSO's Australian Music Program.
He has received many commissions from Australian orchestras and his work is frequently performed around the country and internationally.
He has been Lecturer in Composition and Conducting at the Queensland Conservatorium and Visiting Fellow, University of Melbourne School of Music. He has tutored at the Australian Composers Orchestral Forum on several occasions.
He has conducted all the major Australian orchestras as well as Opera Queensland, West Australian Opera and Opera Australia.
In 2005, he directed the Australian Youth Orchestra's National Music Camp.
For further information, see www.richardmills.com.au
