Biography

After graduating with MMus(1st class hons) from the University of Auckland in 1985, Leonie Holmes was appointed Composer-in-Residence at the Nelson School of Music in 1986, and in 1989 took up the position of Composer-in-Schools in the Auckland region. As a result of this appointment she developed a special interest in music education, and has spent many years combining composition and private teaching with the teaching of creative music in schools, along with a year as Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 1997, and the Manukau City Symphony Orchestra in 2005.

She was awarded the CANZ Trust Fund for Compositional Development in 1991, a Certificate for Contribution to Music in the Auckland Region from the NZSO and Symphony Friends in 1993, and the Philip Neill Memorial Prize in Composition, University of Otago in 2001. Leonie was a committee member of the Composers Association of New Zealand (CANZ) from 2000 – 2004, co-ordinator of the Nelson Composers Workshop in 2001-2002, and a member of the Composers Committee of the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ) 1996-1997. She completed a DMus degree in composition in 2006, and now continues to combine freelance composing with teaching at the School of Music, University of Auckland.

Recent performances include: Silver Whispers Suite for SATB, flute, 2 pianos/celesta, 3 percussion, a five-movement suite commissioned and performed by Auckland Choral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland, conducted by Peter Watts; The Journey, for massed choir and orchestra, commissioned for the opening of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau City, conducted by Uwe Grodd; Ancient Rhythms for orchestra, commissioned and performed by the Manukau City Symphony Orchestra, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, conducted by Uwe Grodd; Frond for orchestra, performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the Asia-Pacific Festival, Wellington, conducted by Kenneth Young and Fragment for String Quartet, written for the Jade String Quartet in 2007.

Leonie’s works have been published by Waiteata Music Pres (Colloquim for two flutes and guitar), SOUNZ (songs from Shell Song Cycle in Kowhai) and she has had a recent article about teaching composition in the classroom published in Sound Arts, the magazine of MENZA (Music Education NZ Aotearoa.) She was composer in Residence with Manukau City Symphony in 2006 and has received recognition from Auckland City Council of he contribution to the musical life of the city.

Selected Works

• Publications (2)
• Works (35)
• Awards (7)