Rhiannon strikes a chord with vocal composition

Sep 28, 2005

It has certainly been a busy few months for UOW Honours graduate and talented musician, Rhiannon Cook.

Last year she was named a ‘composer of the future’ when she was selected with two other UOW graduates to participate in the 2005 MODART project which provides opportunities for emerging composers across the country.

Since then, she has continued to scale the musical ladder and this month watched her own vocal composition debut in Sydney. She was joined by UOW graduates Brent Williams and Serena Vashti Armstrong who also had their compositions performed as part of the MODART05 concert series – a collaboration between Sydney’s The Song Company vocal ensemble and the Australian Music Centre.

“Having your music realised by outstanding musicians is very exciting,” said Rhiannon.

Rhiannon’s contemporary classical piece, based on Helen Garner’s essay A Scrapbook, An Album, focuses on the dynamic between sisters.

The Song Company marketing manager, Anna Cerneaz, said the MODART concerts were so well regarded because they were recorded by ABC Classic FM.

“It came out of the need for new repertoire for vocal ensembles, and to give emerging composers an opportunity to develop skills in that area,” she said. “The concerts provide amazing exposure for these composers and allow them to be mentored by our award winning artist director, Ronald Peelman.”

Rhiannon, who is the daughter of UOW’s Dean of Engineering Professor Chris Cook, said she was nervous but thrilled at seeing and hearing her composition performed on stage.

-RP