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==Biography==
==Biography==
Westlane was born in [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] to clarinettist [[Donald Westlake (clarinettist)|Donald Westlake]]. He studied with his father and later at the [[Australian Film and Television School]] under [[William Motzing]]. In the early years of his career he was a freelance performer and composer, playing throughout Australia and in parts of [[Europe]]. He was a member of the Magic Puddin' Band and was later invited to be a part of the [[Australia Ensemble]], a group of musicians that played new Australian classical music. He remained a composer during this time, writing music on commission for groups including the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] and the [[Royal Australian Navy]] Band. He composed his first film score in 1989, and later was widely recognized with his score for the Oscar-nominated film ''[[Babe (film)|Babe]]''. Other film scores he has composed include ''[[Antarctica]]'', including the award winning 'Penguin Play', ''[[The Nugget]]'' and ''[[Miss Potter]]''.
Nigel Westlake is an Australian composer & musician. He was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1958, the son of clarinettist Donald Westlake (clarinettist) & Heather Sumner Westlake (violinist).
As a child he was a boy soprano at St James Church Sydney. He attended the NSW Conservatorium High School, and studied clarinet with his father.
He commenced his professional performing career at age 17, freelancing with various orchestras & recording sessions for film & television.
His interest in composition developed during his teenage years when composing & arranging for various bands that he formed.


⚫
He has composed symphonies for the [[Australian Virtuosi Orchestra]] and the [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]]. In 2004 he was awarded the "[[H. C. Coombs]] Creative Arts Fellowship" at the [[Australian National University]].
As a performer he has toured to many of the world's cities including London, New York, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Vancouver, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Edinburgh & New Delhi.


⚫
His Op. 1, ''Omphalo Centric Lecture'' for percussion quartet, has become one of the most frequently performed works in the percussion repertoire since its composition in 1984. It was premiered by the Sydney-based percussion group Synergy. It was recorded through the use of [[multitrack recording]] by [[Michael Askill]] in 1995 on the album "Onomatopoeia" (Westlake uses the same technique on the album's first track). In 2006, his Percussion Concerto ''When the Clock Strikes Me'' was premiered with Rebecca Lagos and the [[Sydney Symphony]]. In 2007, the newly commissioned clarinet concertino "Rare Sugar" was premiered by [[Catherine McCorkill]] and the [[Australia Ensemble]].
Career Highlights:


Westlake lives with his wife Jan Loquet, and they have two children, Eli and Joel.<ref name="Missa Solis"/> Eli was killed on 7 June 2008 in an apparent [[road rage]] incident at the age of 21.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/footpath-fracas-ends-in-tragedy/2008/06/07/1212259177746.html|title=Footpath fracas ends in tragedy|last=Mitternacht|first=Manuel|coauthors=Kidman, John|date=2008-06-08|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|accessdate=2008-06-08}}</ref> In 2011, Westlake composed ''Missa Solis'' in honour of his son and it was premiered by the [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]].<ref name="Missa Solis">{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/composer-nigel-westlakes-requiem-for-murdered-son/story-e6frg8n6-1226007760677|date=Composer Nigel Westlake's requiem for murdered son|publisher=The Australian|date=2011-02-18|accessdate=2012-07-19}}</ref>
1979 formed the Magic Puddin' Band, a 7 piece instrumental fusion band playing all original material, with financial assistance from the Music Board of the Australia Council.
1980 toured to Canada with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus
1982 studied film composition at the Australian Film & Television School.
1983 travelled to The Netherlands where he studied bass clarinet with Harry Sparnaay & composition with Theo Leovendie.
1984 wrote "Omphalo Centric Lecture" originally for Bass Clarinet & 2 percussion - this was later arranged for 4 percussion & has become one of the most performed & recorded works for percussion ensembles around the world.
1987 invited to be clarinettist with the [[Australia Ensemble]], resident at the University of NSW, a position he held until 1991.
1988 won the Gold Medal at the New York International Radio Festival for music he composed for Australia's ABC Radio National - "Cudmirrah Fanfare" became the RN station ident theme.

Other commissions for film, television & the concert hall began:
1991 commissioned to write the score for Imax film "Antarctica"
1992 commissioned to write the "Antarctica Suite for Guitar & Orchestra" for John Williams & the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
1993 studied composition & conducting with Richard Meal & Richard Mills
1994 "Antarctica Suite for Guitar & Orchestra" performed & recorded by John Williams with the London Symphony Orchestra.

1992 invited to join guitarist John Williams group "Attacca" for tours of UK & Australia, as a performer & composer
1995 commissioned to write film score for "Babe" .... "Babe" won the Golden Globe for best comedy (musical) in 1996

Other film credits include the feature films MISS POTTER, BABE - PIG IN THE CITY,
CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION, A LITTLE BIT OF SOUL, THE NUGGET
and the Imax films, IMAGINE, THE EDGE & SOLARMAX.

Nigel Westlake has composed commissioned symphonic works & concertos for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Chamber Orchestra.

⚫
In 2004 he was awarded the "[[H. C. Coombs]] Creative Arts Fellowship" at the [[Australian National University]].
In 2012 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of NSW.

⚫
''Omphalo Centric Lecture'' (©1984) for percussion quartet, has become one of the most frequently performed works in the percussion repertoire. It was premiered by the Sydney-based percussion group Synergy. It was recorded through the use of [[multitrack recording]] by [[Michael Askill]] in 1995 on the album "Onomatopoeia". In 2006, his Percussion Concerto ''When the Clock Strikes Me'' was premiered with Rebecca Lagos and the [[Sydney Symphony]]. In 2007, the newly commissioned clarinet concertino "Rare Sugar" was premiered by [[Catherine McCorkill]] and the [[Australia Ensemble]].

Westlake's 21-year old son Eli was killed on 7 June 2008.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

Revision as of 16:44, 19 July 2012

Nigel Westlake (born 6 September 1958) is an Australian composer, performer and conductor.

Biography

Westlane was born in Perth to clarinettist Donald Westlake. He studied with his father and later at the Australian Film and Television School under William Motzing. In the early years of his career he was a freelance performer and composer, playing throughout Australia and in parts of Europe. He was a member of the Magic Puddin' Band and was later invited to be a part of the Australia Ensemble, a group of musicians that played new Australian classical music. He remained a composer during this time, writing music on commission for groups including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Royal Australian Navy Band. He composed his first film score in 1989, and later was widely recognized with his score for the Oscar-nominated film Babe. Other film scores he has composed include Antarctica, including the award winning 'Penguin Play', The Nugget and Miss Potter.

He has composed symphonies for the Australian Virtuosi Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2004 he was awarded the "H. C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship" at the Australian National University.

His Op. 1, Omphalo Centric Lecture for percussion quartet, has become one of the most frequently performed works in the percussion repertoire since its composition in 1984. It was premiered by the Sydney-based percussion group Synergy. It was recorded through the use of multitrack recording by Michael Askill in 1995 on the album "Onomatopoeia" (Westlake uses the same technique on the album's first track). In 2006, his Percussion Concerto When the Clock Strikes Me was premiered with Rebecca Lagos and the Sydney Symphony. In 2007, the newly commissioned clarinet concertino "Rare Sugar" was premiered by Catherine McCorkill and the Australia Ensemble.

Westlake lives with his wife Jan Loquet, and they have two children, Eli and Joel.[1] Eli was killed on 7 June 2008 in an apparent road rage incident at the age of 21.[2] In 2011, Westlake composed Missa Solis in honour of his son and it was premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.[1]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

APRA-AMC Classical Music Awards

The APRA-AMC Classical Music Awards are presented annually by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australian Music Centre (AMC).[3]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Piano Concerto – Michael Kieran Harvey Best Performance of an Australian Composition[4] Nominated
Six Fish – Saffire Guitar Quartet Instrumental Work of the Year[5] Won
Crystal Spheres – Solarmax film orchestra Orchestral Work of the Year[4] Nominated
2007 When the Clock Strikes Me - Rebecca Lagos (soloist), Sydney Symphony Best Performance of an Australian Composition[6] Won
2008 Rare Sugar - The Australia Ensemble and Catherine McCorkill (clarinetist) Best Performance of an Australian Composition[7] Won
Glass Soldier Suite – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey Payne (cornet), Jean-Louis Forestier (conductor) Orchestral Work of the Year[8] Nominated


APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards

The annual APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards are presented by APRA and Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) for television and film scores and soundtracks.[9]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Hell Has Harbour Views Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie[10] Won
2007 Miss Potter Feature Film Score of the Year[11] Won
Best Soundtrack Album[11] Won
Stepfather of the Bride Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie[11] Won


References

  1. ^ a b . The Australian. 2011-02-18 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/composer-nigel-westlakes-requiem-for-murdered-son/story-e6frg8n6-1226007760677. Retrieved 2012-07-19. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Mitternacht, Manuel (2008-06-08). "Footpath fracas ends in tragedy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-06-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Classical Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  4. ^ a b "2005 Finalists - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  5. ^ "2005 Winners - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  6. ^ "2007 Winners - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  7. ^ "2008 Winners - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  8. ^ "2008 Finalists - Classical Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  9. ^ "Screen Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  10. ^ "2005 Winners - Screen Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "2007 Winners - Screen Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.

External links

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