Biography

Paul studied composition with John Elmsly and John Rimmer at the University of Auckland, graduating in 1996 with a Master of Music (First Class Hons.). He developed an interest in contemporary music whilst studying trombone and is still an avid performer, composer and promoter of solo and chamber music for the instrument.

Paul has worked in many fields of composition including works for solo instrument, mixed chamber ensemble, electronic medium, orchestra, choir, as well as incidental music for theatre, dance, television and short film. Paul’s interest in theatre led to the production of ‘Freud’s Dora’, an electronic chamber opera featuring Helen Medlyn, in 1993. Two of the arias from the opera were later featured in the programme ‘New Music Survey’ on Radio New Zealand Concert. In January 1997 Paul represented New Zealand at the 18th Conference and Festival of the Asian Composers League, Manila, Philippines, with his piece ‘A Time There Passes’. This piece was also the winner of the Auckland University Composers Prize in 1996. In 1997 ‘Lament’, for solo flute, was judged the winner of the Composers’ Competition of the 4th National Flute Society Conference and was later chosen to be included in ‘Little Dancings’, a publication of New Zealand flute music produced by SOUNZ. This work has been recorded by Bridget Douglas on her recent CD ‘Taurangi’. In 1998 Paul was Mozart Fellow at the University of Otago. Recently Paul was commissioned to write ‘Impossible Colour’ for mixed ensemble for the Wellington based group Stroma, and collaborated with Mere Boynton on three songs, recorded in 2005, on her album ‘Waikohu’.

Paul is currently principal trombone player with the Titan Hutt Brass Band.

• Publications (1)
• Works (10)
• Awards (1)