New publications

Posted on 16/07/2021 by brettmckern

Two new volumes of asynchronous choral music have been published, edited by Brett and A/Prof. Diana Blom. This music is designed for live performance, OR can be performed over the web on platforms like Zoom or Skype. While an exploration of asynchronous choral techniques, this repertoire will also be useful for choirs who want to continue singing as a group activity during lockdown or socially distanced. They can be purchased as a PDF download or hardcopy at: https://www.australiancomposers.com.au/collections/print-music/products/out-of-time and https://www.australiancomposers.com.au/collections/print-music/products/copy-of-out-of-time-volume-2.

Links to videos

Posted on 04/02/2021 by brettmckern

There are some new additions to this website. Now, many of the Funeral Music suggestions and some of the Wedding Music suggestions include links to short YouTube videos of Brett playing these works (or at least excerpts thereof). This will hopefully help making selections for these important occasions simpler.

Music Theory Lessons

Posted on 03/12/2019 by brettmckern

Would you like to improve your music theory skills? Study composition? Do you need to get your co-requsite exam to get your practical certificate or diploma?

Theory and compositions can be by Skype, saving you travelling time and cost; or at Gordon, near Camden, or in the Southern Highlands, NSW.

See the Lessons and Lessons by Skype pages, or contact Brett.

Lessons

Posted on 06/07/2019 by brettmckern

Do you need a music theory or musicianship teacher? See the lessons page or Lessons by Skype. Brett would be happy to be in contact with potential students.

New Zealand Recital

Posted on 05/02/2019 by brettmckern

Brett is giving the annual Earthquake Memorial Concert on Sunday 10th February 2019 at 2.30pm at Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru, NZ.

This concert is a memorial to the three men from South Island Organ Company who lost their lives in the 2011 Earthquake while preserving a pipe organ damaged in the previous major quake. It is thus a great honour for Brett to have been asked to play. While the programme includes some memorial music, a variety of repertoire will be presented, and additionally two vocal solos will be sung.

Entry to the concert is free, but a donation towards expenses is appreciated.

Further details are available at the link below:

Earthquake Memorial Recital

Last year’s win

Posted on 20/07/2018 by brettmckern

Herewith the University’s page addressing the Isabel Menton Composition Award 2017 – Brett won the Liturgical Division.

http://www.acu.edu.au/connect_with_acu/social/acu_isabel_menton_composition_award_2017

Upcoming recital

Posted on 20/02/2018 by brettmckern

This Thursday, 22 February, Brett is playing the organ recital at St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney 1.10-1.40pm. The programme is below. All welcome!

J.S. Bach Fugue a la Gigue
Sir George Thalben-Ball Elegy
Mendelssohn Prelude & Fugue Op.37, No.1
Brett McKern
   Meditation on In Paradisum
   Tuba Tune
   Verset No.1
Théodore Dubois Toccata

Succesful student

Posted on 20/02/2018 by brettmckern

Congratulations are in order for one of Brett’s students who was recently awarded the Licentiate Diploma of Trinity College of Music, London (LTCL) in composition. This is a significant achievement. Well done!

Competition win!

Posted on 22/12/2017 by brettmckern

Brett’s new choral work Joyful we Adore You (for SATB with piano or organ) has won the liturgical division of the Isobel Menton Composition Award 2017. This award his been run annually three times by the Australian Catholic University.

The work uses the hymn text made famous in the movie Sister Act and often sung to the famous tune from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy. Brett’s is a completely new setting and is tuneful and approachable by amatur choirs as well as those more capable.

The socre is under exclusive use for 12 months by the University choirs before being made available for general use under the conditions of the award.

Isabel Menton Award 2017

New CD

Posted on 22/12/2017 by brettmckern

SPLENDOURS on the HILL

A new CD of organ music played by Kurt Ison at Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney on the Hill organ features Brett’s Voluntary on Tallis’ Canon. This piece won the inaugural RSCM ACT Composition Competition for a liturgical keyboard work, but is also appropriate for and has been used for recital. It has been played in recital at St Paul’s Cathedral, London and elsewhere.

The CD is available on ebay at https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/202154405376?ul_noapp=true for AUD$25.

The score may be purchased at: http://www.australiancomposers.com.au/authors/brett-m-mckern/voluntary-on-tallis-canon-score for AUD$12.