...Biography

Biography - Angela Polden

Angela is a self-employed music piano and singing teacher born in 1960 at Devonport, Tasmania, where she still lives.

As a composer she is largely self-taught, using skills gained during study for AMEB awards in piano, music theory, singing (AMusA), and teaching (ATmusA).

Many years of writing have seen the development of a distinctive voice that is melodious, mostly tonal (although predominantly modal) and sonorous. Many works reflect the beauty of the Tasmanian landscape.

Her aim is to write music that is socially relevant, accessible and useful to both listeners and performers without being simplistic.

She believes that music has the potential to be a vehicle for healing and reconciliation. Most works include references to spiritual matters and her experiences as a Christian.

Favourite and influential composers include J.S.Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams and his contemporaries, the French Impressionists, Gershwin and many contemporary Australians.

Originally intending a career in science, her interests in music and composition were resurrected concurrently with the birth of her second child and her varied musical endeavours have been constrained by balancing the responsibilities of 'being the mum at her house'.

Early piano studies were undertaken with Rennie Herbert, singing later with her mother, Beryl Bradley and preparation for ATMusA through the University of Southern Queensland.

Always encouraged by other musicians from the close community, Angela came to recognise a gift for composition after entering and winning the composition prize at the Devonport Eisteddfod on ten occasions.

Singing performances usually include pre-classical repertoire namely Handel, Purcell, Mozart and 20th century works including jazz standards.

A highlight has been singing the soprano soloist in Messiah in 1999 with the Greater Braddon Orchestra and Coastal Choir.

The inclusion of three works in the inaugural Vox Tasmanica concert where she performed in two works and conducted the third resulted in the release of a CD of recordings made at the concert.

Commissions include Psalm at the Arboretum for a vocal ensemble and Scena Australis de Espiritu Santo for the Romanian bassoonist and conductor, Horia Pava.

An Arts Tasmania grant was awarded in Nov. 2001 to assist with publication of Klokwerx, a book of eight piano solos written for her students. The standard of these pieces varies approximately between grades 2 and 5, AMEB. Klokwerx includes a variety of styles and the pieces are suitable for extra lists and own choice sections in exam and eisteddfod work. Program notes are included for each piece.

A chamber work titled DonDay performed in October 2002 with the Tasmanian Conservatorium's Emergering Composer's Forum.

Other 2002 premieres included Absoflutely, a sonata for flute, guitar and soprana and more piano miniatures.