Congratulations to saxophonist Rob Woodward and pianist Benjamin Burton who premiered Brett’s Scherzo for Saxophone at Sydney Conservatorium of Music on 26 June 2013 during the Clarinet and Saxophone Festival. Well done chaps, it was a great performance!
This work is available in the Australian Saxophone Anthology published by Wirripang: http://australiancomposers.com.au/shop/wirripang-australian-piano-anthology-2011-book-1
Brett’s organ work Passacaglia for the Epiphany was commissioned by Sydney organist Kurt Ison for a concert on the Feast of the Epiphany in Westminster Abbey, London in 2013.
Kurt performed this same work at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on 26 June 2013. He says, ‘It fitted the organ like a glove’!
Brett performed his own ‘Voluntary on Tallis’ Canon’ for organ at Wesley Uniting Church in Canberra on 22 June, 2013. This piece won a competition for a liturgical keyboard work in 2012.
On 22 June 2013 Brett was awarded 2nd prize in a composition competition for his choral work “A Prayer for Divine Love” for SATB and organ on a text by St Francis of Assisi. The work was premiered the same day at a performance in Canberra. This was the same competition Brett won in 2012.
Have a look at the Gallery page – there are some new photos, including some from my Europe/England trip in Dec 12-Jan 13 playing historic organs.
Brett wishes the tertiary music students he tutors all the best for their exams presently.
Brett’s ‘Gloria Gordoniensis’, a setting of the BCP Gloria, is now being used weekly at St John’s Gordon in Sydney. Favourable comments have greeted this jolly and new setting.
Brett recently graduated with a second doctorate in musical composition – PhD from the University of Sydney. Very exciting!
The Carillonist played one of Brett’s carillon compositions for the occasion!
Brett’s new chant setting of the ‘Anima Christi’ has been performed the last two weeks with favourable comments.
Also, his new congregational ‘Gloria’ is in rehearsal for upcoming trial.
Both these performances are happening at St John’s Church, Gordon, NSW.
Come to the University of Sydney this Sunday 15th July to hear Brett’s new Carillon work at the 2pm Carillon recital. The Quadrangle is a good place to hear from.
Stacey Yang, an Honorary Asssistant Carillonist of the University, plays all original compositions for carillon. This will include Brett’s Variations on ‘Bow Brickall’. Bow Brickall is a hymn tune written by Sir Sydney Nicholson, founder of the RSCM, and also son of Sir Charles Nicholson, first Chancellor in whose honour this piece is written.
Brett McKern 