Margaret Wegener

Margaret Wegener was born in North-west London in 1920 and began composing as a child, continuing composition into her late 80s. After studying at Maria Grey College she qualified as a teacher, eventually holding posts as Director of Music at Barton Court School, Canterbury, and at Ellington Girls' School in Ramsgate. She retired in 1980 to devote more time to composition. She also held positions as organist/choir director in London, Peterborough, Canterbury and Shropshire.

Margaret's compositions have been published by OUP (Oxford University Press), Royal School of Church Music, Da Capo Music and Musica Ariosa, and have drawn praise from composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Herbert Howells, John Rutter and Andrew Carter. She was awarded composition prizes in UK and Canada and while in England she released three CDs of her music: Songs (featuring renowned English baritone Stephen Varcoe); Choral music; and Chamber music. At least one of her CD covers features her own art work.

In 2005 Margaret immigrated to New Zealand to live with her daughter near Auckland, where she continued to compose and to promote her music. New Zealand musicians who have performed her works include Waitakere City Orchestra (dir. Brigid Bisley), Musica Sacra (dir. Indra Hughes), Cantorum (dir. Iain Tetley), Margo Knightbridge, The Three Mezzos, Ben Hoadley, William Green, members of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and members of Auckland Lieder Group. She also released a fourth CD, of orchestral music, conducted by Hamish McKeich and featuring Cameron Barclay (of the Ten Tenors).

Margaret Wegener died in Takou Bay, Northland, on September 16th 2020 aged 100.