Biography

Andrew Batterham is an Australian composer, arranger, songwriter and performer. He is active across many genres including art music, jazz, corporate music, big bands, TV, and educational music. His music has been performed, recorded and broadcast in Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA, by artists ranging from jazz legend James Morrison to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

After studying composition with Brenton Broadstock, Andrew worked as a trumpet player and pianist in the Melbourne commercial scene for many years. Upon winning the Qantas Youth Award of the Paul Lowin Prize, he travelled to New York to study with Broadway arranger Ian Finkel, and to London for lessons with John McCabe. Other awards include the National Songwriting Contest, Corbould Composition Prize (Queensland Symphony), and commissions from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and many other organisations.

Commercially Andrew’s corporate music has been heard on videos, TV and radio in commercials, short film scores and corporate events. He has also arranged orchestral backing music for albums by various artists. Recent activity includes Concertino for solo tuba and wind band (winner of the Harvey Phillips Award USA), premiered by Sérgio Carolino and the Banda Sinfónica Portuguesa at the São João Festival in Portugal, Composer-in-residence at the Sydney International Brass Festival, performances at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, and CD releases for Tall Poppies (Australia) and Cala Records (UK).

Andrew’s music is published in Australia, the USA and the UK. He is on the staff at the Australian Institute of Music as Program Leader Academic Support.

Composer website:  http://www.andrewbatterham.com

Featured Works

The Coffee Song, for SATB choir and piano.

Written for Melbourne choir Southern Voices, who have performed the piece successfully at eisteddfods. This recording is by the Composers’ Choir with Daniel Shaw, in Connecticut, USA. A brief, fun SATB foray into the world of coffee.

Featured in Vocal Waves (September 2017).

Thugine Legend, for orchestra.

Based on an indigenous story about two boys who are ordered to stay by the campfire whilst the men hunt. The older boy leads the younger into the jungle until they come to the sea – where Thugine, the rainbow serpent, takes them away… Winner of the inaugural Corbould Composition Prize, and also performed several times by Melbourne Symphony, Queensland Philharmonic.

Featured in Landscape Waves, February 2018

Organica, for Trumpet, trombone, acoustic guitar.

Can brass and acoustic guitar work together? Yes, with extended techniques, jazz improv and dreamy middle section included. Commissioned by Ensemble Three, this piece explores the specific talents of its members over several genres, with delay and reverb pedals thrown in for good measure.

Featured in Guitar Waves (December 2018).