Composer

Biography

Tony Ryan was born in Timaru and graduated from the University of Canterbury with MusB(Hons) in composition. After qualifying as a teacher he led Music and Drama at Heretaunga College and, from 1979 to 2012 was Head of Music at Linwood College, culminating in the hugely successful Linwood College Orchestra tour of Europe and the UK. He now lives in Kenya where he is Head of Arts at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa.
Tony has also been a much sought-after composer, conductor, pianist, lecturer and reviewer. Conducting engagements have included assignments for many companies including the Christchurch Symphony, Court Theatre, Canterbury Opera, NASDA and others. His many compositions include Music-Theatre works for schools, scores for professional theatre productions, particularly for Court Theatre, (‘Much Ado about Nothing’, ‘The Merchant of Venice’, ‘Alice!’), song cycles, chamber works and orchestral pieces such as ‘Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Orchestra’ and ‘HAKA!’, which has received many performances in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. The acclaimed season of his opera ‘The Musicians of Bremen’ in 1996 remains one of the highlights of his career. Recent works include a piece for the Christchurch Symphony to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of John Ritchie, and ‘The Linwood March’ which has become a popular annual feature of Linwood College events and ceremonies. Lectures for University Continuing Education courses have also been another call on his talents.
Tony has composed prolifically since his student days when early performances brought him critical recognition in the press as “the most gifted and fluent” of a new generation of composers. For many years he has also been the Christchurch reviewer for Radio New Zealand Concert’s ‘Upbeat’, and also reviews for Theatreview. His compositions are available in music shops, from the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ), or directly from tony.ursula99@gmail.com.