MARGARET'S BIOGRAPHY
Margaret
Brandman
Ph.D (Mus/Arts)., Hon D.L. B.Mus.(Syd)., T.Mus.A., F.Comp.ASMC., F.Mus.Ed.ASMC,
L.Perf.ASMC., HonFNMSM (UK), A.Mus.A., ASA.T.Dip., MMTA(NSW)., M.I.M.T.
International Woman of the Year for services to Music (2003)
Composer,
Music Educator, Author, Arranger and Specialist Music Consultant
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| | | Margaret Brandman's career in music as composer, pianist, music educator, arranger and writer on music education, spans more than 40 years. Her original compositions include concert works for piano, instrumental combinations and orchestra, many of which have been published by Furore Music in Germany. These works are receiving both live and recorded performances internationally. | |
| | | Margaret Brandman's career in music as composer, pianist, music educator, arranger and writer on music education, spans more than 40 years. Her original compositions include concert works for piano, instrumental combinations and orchestra, many of which have been published by Furore Music in Germany. These works are receiving both live and recorded performances internationally. | |
| | | Performances include the World Forum Gala Concert in Oxford, England in August 2012 where Margaret performed many of her works for piano and voice and 'Rhapsodies to Rhumbas' concerts (2013 and 2014) which were presented in major venues in the greater Sydney area. A team of musicians and singers performed in a two-hour concert consisting entirely of Brandman compositions. | |
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This year (2015) the USA based company, Parma Recordings is producing a CD of Margaret's orchestral works, performed by the Moravian Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic. In addition her works for Saxophone Quartet will be recorded by musicians in Cuba. Margaret will be attending all the recording sessions in the coming months.
In October 2015 Parma Recordings featured Margaret as composer of the month. Click here for blog. Click here for the Love Brings Change video clip.
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Click to view larger image
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Margaret is an experienced and accredited teacher who holds many degrees from various educational bodies. In 2014 she was awarded an 'Honorary Doctorate of Letters' (IBC) 'for her contributions to the world wide academic community in the field of music composition, performance and education'.
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Margaret has authored a complete range of music education materials including Accent on Music (High School text) the Contemporary Piano Method, the Contemporary Aural Course, and numerous contemporary theory texts including Harmony Comes Together. Margaret is also the major contributing writer of the written component of the AMEB's Music Craft workbooks.
Margaret's pedagogical works have been at the cutting edge of music education as she pioneered new methods which have been proven to be successful and enduring. New examination syllabi are now including materials which have long existed in the Brandman methods - improvisation, efficient reading skills, chord and harmonic understanding and keyboard topography.
In August 2015 Newcastle piano teacher Robyn Howarth wrote to Margaret "I am thrilled to be able to give you some personal thanks. Your books have helped me countless times over the years."
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Her teaching DVD The Geometry of the Piano and Symmetry of the Hands was shown at the World Piano Conference in Serbia in 2011 and in 2012 and at the World Forum in 2012. It has since been awarded the 'Diploma of Excellence', the highest accolade of the World Piano Teacher's Association. This year (2015) Margaret again presented this DVD to a packed and appreciative audience at the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference held in Melbourne
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Linda Kellander of the ABI presenting Margaret with the award | | | Following her lecture on Music Education and performance at the concert evening during the World Forum in 2012, Margaret was presented with the award for 'Distinguished Intellectual Contributions' to the conference, representing the continent of Australia. | |
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Margaret's continues to compose new and exciting works. Her 2015 works include a Zodiac Song Cycle for soprano voice set to insightful lyrics by Benita Rainer. Artwork by Jeremy Blake (Margaret's son).
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Margaret with Martin Cooke at the Munich Opera House in 2012.
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From June to August 2015 Margaret also composed several songs on an Australian themes written especially for ex-patriot Australian baritone Martin Cooke who sings with the Bavarian State Opera company in Munich. These songs will be recorded by Martin accompanied by Margaret, at the Munich Opera House in September 2015.
All Margaret's new songs are scheduled for performance in 2016.
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