Claire Cowan
Composer of intstrumental and electronic music. Output includes solo instrument to full orchestral works. Main interest in Combining music with theatre, film and dance. Keen interest in photography and film making.
Composing www.clairesmusic.com
Performing (cello) and in Blackbird Strings www.blackbirdstrings.com
Photography & Design http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackbirdcreative/sets/72157604072182972/
Illustration and Humour www.antifashionleague.com
Schooling: Macleans College, Bucklands Beach Auckland
University of Auckland Creative arts and Industries
BMUS major in composition and electronic music. Honours in Music for film and radio.
BMUS (Hons) 2004 Unversity of Auckland
Royal School of Music Grade 8 Distinction Violoncello
Nz Modern School of Music Registered Teacher (piano)
Registered member of APRA
Registered member of CANZ (Composers Association of New Zealand)
Registered member of WIFT (Women in Film and Television)
Composition performances and projects:
Netherlands Blazer Ensemble (2002)
Wellington Youth Orchestra (2003)
Auckland Youth Orchestra (2004) Commission
Auckland Philharmonia (2002-3)
Manukau Symphony Orchestra (2002) Commission
Nelson Composers Workshop (2003)
48 Hour Film Festival (2004)
Unitec Dance Production (2003) Commission
Unitec Dance Production (2005) Commission
John Chen Solo Piano (2005) Commission
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (2005, 2006)
The Memory Booth -directed by Steven Chow (2006)
Suture - directed by Alys Longely -Maidment (2006)The Secret Finger Club – Backlit Productions (2006)
The Memory Booth SF(2006)
Moonlight SF (2006)
NZ Symphony Orchestra Todd Readings (2007)
Leaning Tower of Penchant – Backlit Productions (2007)
Whetu-Rere The Sealion and the Comet NHNZ SF (2007)
Blur – Dir Kirsty MacDonald SF (2007-8)
Assume Nothing – Travelling Exhibition Soundtrack (2008)
Auckland Civil Defence Volcanic Hazards (2008)
Royal Society of NZ – film Soundtrack (2008)
An Ordinary Person – Dir Susan Potter (2008)
Auckland Youth Orchestra- USA Tour Composer (2008)
Hutt Valley Concert Orchestra – (2008)
Ego by D.M Friend –HERE Arts Centre New York (2008-9)
Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland – TVC’s (2008)
Trio Scintillatum UK tour commission (2008)
Guest Lecturer National Film Board of Canada (2009)
Parias Ensemble New York (2009)
Douglas Lilburn Prizes (2002,2003,2004) University of Auckland
Bishop Music scholarship (junior 2003))
Bishop Music scholarship (senior 2004)
NZ Choral Federation Prize (2002)
Netherland Blazers Competition Winner (2002)
Auckland Philharmonia Young Composer’s Competition winner (2002)
Auckland Philharmonia NZ Composer’s readings (2003)
NZ Symphony Orchestra Young Composer recordings (2005)
University of Auckland Cultural Blue recipient (2005,2006)
University of Auckland Overall Arts and Cultural achievement trophy (2006)
NZSO National Youth Orchestra Composer in Residence (2006)
NZSO-SOUNZ Readings (2006)
NZSO Todd Composer Award Winner 1st Equal (2007)
Creative NZ Professional Development Grant Recipient (2007)
Arts Regional Trust ART Source programme participant (2007-8)
SOUNZ Community Commission recipient (2007-8)
Creative NZ Funding recipient (2008)
NZSO-SOUNZ Readings (2009)
Acting: "Darling Buds of May" -Zinnia (1999) Howick Little theatre www.hlt.org.nz
"The Lion the witch and the Wardrobe" -Lucy (1998)
"The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" Sandy (2004) Howick Little Theatre
"Jake's Women" Molly (2006) Howick Little Theatre
Auckland Theatresports ''Changing faces" HLT (2000)
NZ Theatresports Secondary School Champs "The Geeks" (1999,2000,2001)
Art and design: Manukau Photography Competition 3rd in 'People' Section (2002)
Bursary Photography Scholarship winner (2001)
Album design Sarah Mccallum 'Goodnight lonely girl" (2002)
Offical Parachute music festival photographer (2002)
Print and Poster design and Photography Auckland Youth Orchestra (2005-8) Original Concept Design and Illustration www.antifashionleague.com
"....playful, quixotic and jazzy, the music enacting some kind of game
of chase between right and left hands and white and black keys. There
were lovely ambient changes of texture through pedal effects, over
which exotic folk-instrumental colours and repeated gamelan-like notes
sounded and resounded, before the jolly skipping rhythm of the opening
returned, creating a rather whimsical impression of something familiar
turned every which way and regarded in a new light."
- Peter Mechen, of “Shadowhands” performed by John Chen, Lower Hutt 2005
“....I’m sure she’s going to figure very very strongly in New Zealand composition for orchestra in the future.”
- Upbeat Review, Concert FM Sept 06
“the orchestra carefully illuminated the pinpoint details of its
opening pages and responded with enthusiasm when its resident composer
demanded an outburst of Ravelian sumptuousness.”
- William Dart, NZ Herald 06
“Trains of Thinking” showed all the delicacy and acute ear for
orchestral detail that we’ve come to expect from the composer of “My
Alphabet of Light”. At the outset, harp, winds and strings awaken each
other, alternating their differing textural strands as with tapestried
detail, rhythms crossing and interweaving and colours creating a hugely
luminous effect, through which motoric impulses occasionally ride, some
subtle, and some quasi-disruptive. The textures and colours constantly
evolve into something new, reflecting the ever-changing nature of
things, with even the powerful string ostinati undergoing its own
evolutionary phase. The piece courts both ritualistic and ceremonial
modes before returning to the harp’s somewhat enigmatic repeated-note
opening.”
- Peter Mechen, Concert FM 06
“I have no doubt that the NZSO will be performing more of her works in the future.”
-Peter Walls, Chief Executive NZSO
“When I heard her music, my already high expectations were exceeded:
she had created a beautiful and moving experience. I was excited and
flattered that she had produced such a gem for our concert. Her works
are always beautifully crafted, with emotional depth, integrity, and
reflecting her unique personality.”
-Peter Willis, The Committee
“Amazing. Beautiful and haunting. Perfect Claire! Best part of the show!”
-David M. Friend, Puppeteer New York
“Claire is a wonderful composer, her music is attractive and
accessible, a real joy for both a performer and an audience. There is a
special vibrancy and colour to her works. She is very easy to
collaborate with, her mind is brimming with musical ideas, and I have
no doubt that she will be one of the greatest ever New Zealand
composers.”
-John Chen, Concert Pianist
“It’s pretty hard in this business to get work back that’s on time, on
budget and on brief, first time. Claire not only did this for us on two
jobs with screaming deadlines, but in terms of pure musicality the
results exceeded our expectations in both cases.I thought the tracks
you sent through were fantastic. In the case of the “Taste Tester”
spot, your final result was better than Henry Mancini’s effort!”
- Luke Chess, Creative Director, Saatchi and Saatchi
“Claire is a versatile, sensitive and very talented composer and
musician, and an absolute pleasure to work with.
Receiving her wonderful recordings was a highlight of the whole
project.”
-Alastair Jamieson, Filmmaker
“Claire Cowan was absolutely unbelievable to work with. Professional to
the core, she took our music reference in conjunction with our music
brief, and made a beautiful orchestral piece for our commercial, “AIDs”
in only a few short days. I understood she was incredibly busy with all
sorts of other commitments at the time, but she still made time to
score this beautiful piece. We would have been completely lost without
her talents, and can’t say enough about how fantastic she was to work
with. Her piece took the look and feel of the ad up an enormous notch,
and she gave us exactly what we wanted and more. We didn’t even have
any changes! That’s quite a challenge when working with advertising
creatives. We will most definitely use her again soon.”
- Dave Mygind, Creative, Saatchi and Saatchi Auckland
Member Profile
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