Dr Ian Macdonald,
BMus (Adelaide), Grad DipED (Canberra), MA (CSturt), PhD (CSturt)
 
Dr Ian Macdonald began studying percussion at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, Adelaide University, whilst still at high school. Studying with Richard Smith of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra, he became the first percussionist in Australia to begin a degree majoring in percussion. During his study he played with the South Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra and in the orchestra for the State Opera Company of SA At the Adelaide University, Ian Macdonald began studying Electronic Music composition with Peter Tahourdin in the new Electronic Music Studio when the Moog Synthesiser Mark III arrived from America. As a result he had several compositions performed in Elder hall Concerts at the Adelaide University, gave extensive demonstrations of the instrument around Australia and composed music and designed soundscapes for the South Australian Theatre Company. Dr Macdonald then taught in the Electronic Music Studio and had the opportunity of working with many Australian composers. Interest in the EMS included visits and discussions with Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett and many other international musicians who went to Adelaide as part of the Adelaide festivals. As a composer, Ian wrote and performed the music for the South Australian Theatre‘s productions including Shakespeare's Corealanus and Ianesco's Exit The King. His electronic work AnSoc 70 was discussed at an international conference on Electronic Music at Melbourne University. Ian was music director of many theatre productions and musicals in the Union Theatre at the Adelaide University. Through the Electronic Music Studio he also recorded all the Elder Conservatorium concerts and presented them on his weekly programme, University Concert, on Radio 5UV. Dr Macdonald was the Concert Manager for several Adelaide Festivals and in this capacity worked with many artists of international standing including the John Aldis Choir, Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, Frans Bruggen, The Dutch Swing College Band, The New York Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, The Australian Chamber Orchestra and many others. Throughout his career Dr Macdonald has worked with many major Australian companies. He was the manager of the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra based in the Sydney Opera House, working with the Australian Opera and The Australian Ballet. He was the Concert Manager and a founding board member of the Seymour Group, Australia's premier experimental music ensemble. Ian developed an interest in the design and production of major community events such as On The Sheep's Back, a celebration of the South Australian wool industry, old fashioned picnics for the Adelaide Festival and the closing ceremony of the South Australian Jubilee 150 Celebrations. In 1988 Ian moved to Canberra where he was the Executive Director of the Australia Day Celebrations. He then spent several years working in music and theatre in the National Capital, including work as Production Manager of the Canberra Theatre Company and set designer and composer for the National Shakespeare Festival. At the Canberra School of Music Ian worked on several opera productions and organized a major concert programme featuring the many aspects of the school. In the 1990's Ian taught music in TAFE in Goulburn and Orange, New South Wales, with subjects including the presentation of music, percussion, aural training, early childhood music, composition, theory and music theatre. Since arriving in Wagga Wagga Dr Macdonald has graduated from Charles Sturt University as a Master of Arts and has completed his PhD specializing in Experimental Music/Theatre performance (see http://www.crookedmirror.com/soundandlight). Major music theatre compositions during this period include Silent Prisoner, Meditation and In The Hands of Children, (both works performed in the television studios of Charles Sturt University and broadcast live over the internet). He composed and performed music for Charles Sturt University theatre productions, including most recently for Tessa Bremner's experimental production of Macbeth (2005), in which the members of his Riverina Percussion Ensemble performed on stage. He has designed the sets for major productions at the Riverina Civic Theatre, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago and GASP (Riverina Playhouse). His design for Co-Opera's Pagliacci recently toured to Singapore. Ian was a member of the Charles Sturt University Council and the President of the Charles Sturt University Post Graduate Association. Ian has been teaching Percussion at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music since 2002 and formed the Riverina Percussion Ensemble, which had its first performances in 2003. In 2004 Ian was appointed Head of the Brass Woodwind and Percussion Department of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. He is now Head of Percussion and Concerts. Contact Ianmacdonald@crookedmirror.com http://www.crookedmirror.com/soundandlightmailto:Ianmacdonald@crookedmirror.comshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1