Biography

Composer and librettist Aaron Lloydd has lived in Wellington since 1985, and studied music and law at Victoria University. After three years working as a solicitor for law firm Russell McVeagh Aaron left the firm to take a masters degree in music at Victoria University, studying with composers Ross Harris, one of New Zealand’s great composers of opera, and John Psathas, an active composer in the international music scene.

Aaron has been composing music since 1987. He has composed music for orchestra, brass band, string quartet and other chamber ensembles, as well as electronic music. He has also written a great deal of music for theatre, particularly with Sally Rodwell and Alan Brunton (who write and perform together as Red Mole), both very much involved in an international treatre circuit. In addition Aaron performs with a number of musical and treatrical groups, including The Evening Post Wellington Brass Band, The Offbeats, Mr Sterile, and Virgil. Until recently Aaron played guitar for Wellington punk band Loosehead, and has played solo trombone for jazz ensemble Lulu White’s Mahogany Hall. Aaron’s string quartets Lauch (1993) and Turbider + Air (1994) have been performed by the New Zealand String Quartet. His most recent composition for orchestra Crashdive (2000) was rehearsed and recorded by the Auckland Philharmonia and was performed last year by the Wellington Youth Orchestra. In 2000 Aaron collaborated with another Wellington composer Jamie Standen to create original music and sound design for the New Zealand School of Dance choreographic season Shake Well Before Use. Aaron’s latest composition for brass band, Sinew (2001) was shortlisted for the Arthur Gullidge Composition Prize in Australia.

Aaron is currently dividing his time between working on an orchestral piece about the meteorite impact crater at Pukerau, and on a brass quintet for friends.

• Publications (1)
• Works (9)
• Arrangements (1)