Composer

Biography

Ray Twomey, a contemporary classical music composer whose CDs are available in various countries, was born in England in 1938. He moved to New Zealand after the war where he completed his schooling. Ray immigrated to Canada in 1965. He is affiliated with SOCAN, an Associate Member of the Canadian Music Centre, a member of the Canadian League of Composers and New Zealand’s SOUNZ. Ray has composed close to a hundred musical compositions. His portfolio includes works for symphony and chamber orchestras, concert band, opera, vocal and chamber groups, solo instruments and various choral combinations.

His music, which is always carefully crafted, speaks in an idiom that is both approachable and deeply personal. His musical language centers around a unique harmonic essence underlying a wonderful melodic inventiveness. Ray’s music, with its tight formal structure, alludes to our rich western heritage combined with the expressive freedom of the 20th century. His sonic palette is widely ranging in timbral variety while conservative in melodic content.

In addition to his activities as a composer, Ray, now retired and loving it, was involved in the investment field and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute. His other interests include scuba diving, sailing and even a little sky-diving, flying with the Calgary Flying Club, hiking, fly fishing and traveling. Ray has visited over one hundred countries. He was formerly a broadcaster with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation and a High School teacher in New Zealand, England and Canada.