Composer Mary Finsterer’s record of accomplishments in the music world is considerable.
She is recognised as one of Australia’s finest composers, having received awards for her music in Europe, Britain, USA and Canada and her repertoire covers concert music and feature film.
Which is why when the opportunity arose for students from the University of Tasmania’s School of Creative Arts and Media to spend some one-on-one time with the composer many took up the offer.
Third year Bachelor of Music (Composition) student Nathan Stinton said he was excited to get the chance to work with Mary again.
“Mary’s experience in different parts of the composition world to that of some of the University’s composition and music staff helps to give a broader appreciation of what career opportunities there are in the field of composition,” Nathan said.
From the one-on-one session I gained the encouragement to explore new directions. She gave me a few technical suggestions and we talked about useful resources going forward.
Nathan and the other students who took part in the session were given the chance to discuss the scores they have been working on this year.
Mary has been the Creative Fellow with the University’s College of Arts, Law and Education since 2018 and is currently working on a new opera, among other work.
In this role, Mary has shared with students her vast experience working in the music and screen industries, illuminating the importance of flexibility and adaptability in navigating a career in the arts and media.
“The music I compose is an amalgam of styles that brings together medieval and renaissance musical practice with 20th and 21st century innovations including electronics, orchestration and serial techniques,” Mary said.
“By infusing the material with historical metaphorical and poetic references through word-painting and harmonic treatment, my aim is to create a language that speaks to the universality inherent in the power of music.”