Gareth Farr

Gareth Farr ONZM (born February 29, 1968) is a New Zealand composer and percussionist. He has released a number of classical CDs and composed a number of works performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and New Zealand Ballet. He has also performed in drag under the name Lilith LaCroix in a show called "Drumdrag" and has also released a CD under that name.

Early life and career

Farr was born in Wellington. He began his studies at the University of Auckland in composition, orchestration and electronic music. While studying there, he performed as a member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Karlheinz Company. Farr was always available as a performer to play new works by other composers. Returning to Wellington in 1988 for further study at Victoria University of Wellington, he gained note for his compositions; at this time becoming increasingly exciting with him exploring the Indonesian gamelan. He played percussion frequently with the NZSO before going to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York for advanced study.

Later career

Farr became the composer in residence with Chamber Music New Zealand at 25, the youngest person to hold that post. In 1994, he had four works commissioned for the 1994 International Festival of the Arts including "Lilith's Dream of Ecstasy" and works for flautist Alexa Still and pianist Michael Houstoun as well as a ballet.

His work "From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs" was specially commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Farr also wrote an orchestral piece "Te Papa" for the opening of Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, in 1998.

In 2000, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performed his percussion concerto "Hikoi" with Evelyn Glennie at the Sydney Olympics. He has released four CDs of his work on the "Trust" label with the fifth, "Ruaumoko" released in early 2006.ref|Listener20051105

In 2005, he provided the music for "Vula" staged during the Christchurch Arts Festival prior to the world debut of his "Triple Concerto" performed by the New Zealand Trio and Christchurch Symphony. During 2006, New Zealand premieres of Gareth's music included "Funambulistic Strains" for orchestra and trombone, performed by David Bremner and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, "The Wedding" for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and "TROY the Musical" with librettist Paul Jenden.

In December 2005 Gareth visited Antarctica as part of Antarctica New Zealand's artist programme. The result of the two week residency was a piece for baritone singer and orchestra inspired by the ill fated last expedition of Robert Falcon Scott. The work will be performed in 2008 by London based New Zealand singer Paul Whelan and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

In 2008, Gareth was appointed Composer in Residence of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Lilith LaCroix

Gareth Farr also performs in drag as Lilith LaCroix in cabaret shows. The cabaret "Drumdrag" features Lilith playing the drums and Farr has recorded a CD released under her name. LaCroix also made a music video to promote the album. Advertisers have also asked LaCroix to appear in advertisements.

Farr promotes himself as an entertainer as well as a composer. "I would, perhaps, be criticised for being too entertaining by some composers, but I don't know what's wrong with that because that is why I write music—I'm an entertainer. That's a dirty word in the classical department, but I don't care. I've even got it on my business card—composer/entertainer—because, hey, let's face it, that's what I do."ref|ThePress20051026

Honours

Farr was made an Officer of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to music and entertainment.

References

# "Refreshments" music reviews, "New Zealand Listener" 2005-11-05, Vol. 201 Issue 3417, p41
# "White hot" "The Press", 2005-10-26, pD1
* [http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealandInBrief/CreativeLife/7/ENZ-Resources/Standard/11/en TeAra The Encyclopedia of New Zealand article on Farr]
* [http://www.garethfarr.com/site.html Gareth Farr webpage]

* "White Hot" "The Press" arts feature 2005-10-26
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=41:23086~T2 Allmusic.com Classical Music Profile of Farr]
* [http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Childrens/FamousNewZealanders/Gareth.asp Christchurch Library article on Farr]
* [http://21stcentruryconductor.blogspirit.com/archive/2008/05/24/terra-incognita.html Blog entry on premiere of Terra Incognita]