Biography

Chris Adams (1979-) is a New Zealand composer and the current Mozart Fellow at the University of Otago. Previously he has been the Auckland Philharmonia’s Composer in Residence (2009) and HoD Music at Liston College (2007-9).

Chris has had works commissioned and performed by a wide variety of groups including the Auckland Philharmonia, Jade String Quartet, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Gate Seven, Christ’s College Choir, Silencio Ensemble, the Wellington Youth Orchestra, and chamber groups at the University of Auckland. His works have been performed in New Zealand and Britain, including at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival; a number have also been broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert.

In addition to composing and teaching, Chris has much experience as a freelance musician, performing as a singer and violinist, conducting, coaching chamber music and organising concerts. Chris is a strong advocate of new music and has been a member of the Composers’ Association of New Zealand since 2002. He has been a guest tutor at the Nelson Composers’ Workshop and has mentored composers as part of his role as Composer in Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia.

His most recent projects have been a large scale orchestral piece for the Auckland Philharmonia’s main concert series, a piece for Sonic Museum at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, a trio for Flute, Violin and Viola, and a quartet for four violins. His String Quartet, Persephone, won the Philip Neill Memorial Prize in 2008.

Upcoming composition projects include: a full length symphonic orchestral work; a song cycle for Soprano Helen Acheson based on poems by Canterbury poet and artist, Sam Mahon; a Clarinet Quintet for Wellington clarinettist Anna McGregor; and a new work for Christchurch ensemble, Silencio.

Selected Works

• Works (41)
• Awards (7)
• Resources (1)