24:(born 1943) is an Australian composer, conductor and organist. He began his professional career as a concert organist in the early 1960s, turning to conducting and composition some ten years later. He is the composer of original modern music that bridges commercial and classical styles. 'An original Australian Musical Trailblazer' - Tommy Tycho OBE AM - Channel 9 - Star-Sound Recording Studios 1992 (Interview - Rod Henshaw Radio 4BC).
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Between 1977 and 1982, his schedule included two busy contracts with TAS in country NSW, a prolific period during which he composed the scores for at least one musical each year, musically directing the performances as well as practising music teaching techniques (including choral training) developed from his own performance and composition.
62:(piano), George Faunce Allman (organ) and Norman Johnston (organ). He was awarded both of the overseas music scholarships available in the early sixties: the Alice Bryant Memorial Scholarship for Organists and the Sydney Organ Society Scholarship for Overseas Study. In 1962, Reeves was appointed accompanist to the
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lyrical and linear melodic phrasing with a tendency towards rich orchestration. His approach to the human voice is similar, reaching out to the full range and tones of the artists and choirs for which he writes. He leans toward the classical and romantic but writes in contemporary styles influenced by
Broadway.
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in
Melbourne. The musical was to run for more than 500 performances in the main theatres throughout the eastern states. The Royal Queensland Theatre Company produced a sellout season in 1991. The amateur rights are now regularly taken up and many musical societies have performed the piece in recent
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From the early 1970s Reeves has been awarded many creative contracts, including the Hanna
Barbera Christmas film Silent Night, the musical recording Pilgrimage, a commercial album celebrating the musical highlights of the first Papal Tour of Australia, a music and poetry album featuring the voice and
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Reeves has adjudicated numerous
Eisteddfods, including the City of Sydney, Parramatta, Gunnedah and Tamworth Eisteddfods. He has given of his time to a number of schools and individuals in the interests of the "musical journey" he loves, including through music camps for performance and composition.
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2018 saw Reeves' 'STAGE DOOR' SONGBOOK SERIES titled 'SONGS FROM AUSTRALIAN MUSICALS' published by Origin
Theatrical with international distribution through Hal Leonard Music. A work highlighting theatrical music and lyric material originating from Australia. The SYDNEY ORGAN JOURNAL interview was
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His works includes opera, oratorio, musicals, orchestral and chamber compositions, as well as commercial music composed electronically. Reeves' work has been seen and heard on stage and in churches, concert halls and festivals. His style is theatrical and filmic, symphonic and homogenous, employing
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David Reeves has composed music for theatre, stage, concert hall and church, warming particularly to vocal textures in the
Cathedral and large Choral traditions, as well as theatrical/jazz styles. The musical spirit in his organ and piano (jazz) performances as a young performer infiltrated into
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in the Sydney Town Hall, where he worked extensively from 1963 to 1976 as recitalist. He also performed at Civic
Receptions, School Speech Days, presentation evenings and State occasions, including the presentation of Commercial Advertising Awards. He performed with a number of choirs and choral
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Always a champion for the cause of music, his "international language that crosses all divides", he is noted for taking every opportunity to pass on his excitement in making music to young people. Reeves has given workshops and seminars, was a visiting
Australian composer at
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school, where he later became
Director of Music. By the end of the decade he had left Abbotsleigh to open his own music school, Bainbridge Reeves Academy of Music, which became well known on Sydney's North Shore. During this time, he also adjudicated for
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conducted by
Richard Thew. The choir grew to some eight hundred voices and these performances filled the Sydney Town Hall for three nights each year. They were a highlight of the Sydney Christmas calendar in the sixties and seventies.
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years. David Reeves' production quickly became the biggest box office success ever in this country for a fully homegrown original stage musical production with music, lyrics and book all created by Australians.
469:'Becket – The Kiss of Peace' – 2000 – DRM (P) English Gramophone Showproms – (Oratorio premiered Canterbury Festival, Canterbury 2000 – first recorded CTS London and 'live' at Canterbury Cathedral 2000)
114:. He was especially sought after for his improvisations which concluded nearly all his recitals, as well as becoming a feature of his liturgical performances, as demonstrated through his many recordings.
432:'Tuba I-IV-V' (for organ) – 1966 (recorded by the composer 'Organ Album – St John's Launceston 1977 and 'Peace and Love' EP – Canterbury Cathedral 2001) DRM (P) English Gramophone International
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school in Scotland, and was the founder of the Australian "Operation Young Composer" Award programme which has provided opportunities for overseas study for several young Australian composers.
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Reeves has been described as "one of the most brilliant and unique artistic creative forces to originate from Australia" (Meridian Television 2000), through works including the chamber opera
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appointed Reeves as composer for the soundtrack to the promotional film for the "Tall Ships" celebration to take place on Sydney Harbour in 1988. Also in that year, his theatre musical
410:'Becket – The Kiss of Peace' – 1999 (Oratorio premiered Canterbury Festival, Canterbury 2000 – score recorded CTS London 1999 and 'live' at Canterbury Cathedral 2000) – Publisher DRM
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expanded into Australia, and in 1963 they appointed Reeves as their recitalist, leading to the opening recitals of many new and rebuilt organs throughout Australia.
36:, where his musical promise was recognised early by George Faunce Allman who, with his wife Dora, taught him piano and organ as well as placing him in the choir of
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Reeves' new musical, 'EVER THE BEST OF FRIENDS', a cross between opera and musical completed a workshop at the SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC in February 2020.
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220:, which was performed on the West End. The treatment of the text was extremely controversial, which was reflected in several negative critiques in 1997.
460:'Cyrano de Bergerac' – 1991–92 – (Opera premiered Brisbane Queensland Australia1992- first recorded EMI) DRM (P) English Gramophone – Showproms)
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Whilst at the Sydney Conservatorium, Reeves performed as jazz pianist in addition to his organ performances (including Quo Vadis in
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SING MESSIAH 800 Voices – Combined Church Choirs – Richard Thew – David Reeves 1963–1972 – Sydney Town Hall DRM (P) EG Jersey
447:'Organ Sonata' – 1985 – DRM (P) English Gramophone Showproms (recorded 1986 by the composer 'Great Hall' – Sydney University)
365:'Silent Night'– Incidental Music 1973 Publisher Hanna-Barbera (composed for film 'Silent Night' commission Hanna-Barbera)
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389:'This Australian Christmas' 2009 – (Works for choir and organ) Three Australian Christmas Carols – Publisher DRM
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466:'Becket – The Kiss of Peace' – 1999 – DRM (P) English Gramophone (recorded CTS Studios Wembley Middlesex UK
383:'Organ Sonata' – 1985 – Publisher DRM (first performed 1986 by the composer 'Great Hall' – Sydney University)
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413:'Planet Requiem' – 2002 – (Oratorio commissioned Assisi Festival for Peace, Assisi Italy 2002) Publisher DRM
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In 2002 Reeves composed his oratorio Planet Requiem, which was commissioned by Assisi's 'Festival of Peace'.
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392:'Seven Little Australians' – (Musical premiered 1988 – Premiered Comedy Theatre Melbourne – Publisher DRM
368:'Musical Colours' 1976 – Publisher DRM (commissioned for Crippled Children Concert Sydney Town Hall 1977)
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is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of
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435:'Instrumental Pops" – 1968 Anglo Continental Publishing (P) Instrumental Pops Orchestra – Hamburg 1968)
401:'Cyrano de Bergerac' – 1991–92 – (Opera premiered Brisbane Queensland Australia1992- first recorded EMI)
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416:'Grand Central' 2006 – (Musical Work in Progress- first try-out Civic Theatre Newcastle, NSW Australia)
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422:'Hey! Hey! – – 1980–2013 (Young people's musical set to Mark Twain's theatrical text) Publisher DRM
395:'Favorite Son' – (Reeves/Stapleton 1990 – Musical premiered 1990 Melbourne Australia – Publisher DRM
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David Reeves Organ Virtuoso – St John's Church, Launceston, Tasmania – 1977 DRM (P) Bodemo Records
386:'Organ Fantasia' 1986 – Publisher DRM (first performed by the composer 'Sydney Opera House' – 1987)
419:'Vox' – 2009 (Musical – An original story of Americans returned from combat in Iraq) Publisher DRM
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Chapel, followed by his first professional engagement as Director of Music at the Garrison Church,
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From 1963 to 1978, Reeves accompanied the very popular annual Combined Churches' presentations of
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David Reeves in the Church of St Gabriel, Reservoir, Victoria Australia DRM (P) Bodemo Records
438:'Musical Colours' 1976 – DRM (P) Bodemo Pty Ltd ('Crippled Children' Album – Sydney Town Hall)
377:'A People's Mass' – 1980 – Publisher DRM (An approachable 'Folk Mass' for general performance)
176:, the very first major home-grown musical box-office success in Australia's theatrical history.
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444:'Tall Ships' score 1977 – DRM (P) Showproms EG (commission Australian Bicentennial Authority)
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398:'James and Maggie' 1991 – Musical Reeves/Yeldham – based on the J C Williamson theatre years)
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David Reeves The Crippled Children's Album – Sydney Town Hall −1979 DRM (P) Bodemo Records
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Reeves has performed as an organ recitalist in all the main venues in Australia, including
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457:'Seven Little Australians' – 1988 – Julie Anthony Castle Communications Pty Ltd (P) EMI
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284:(OAM) for his "service to the performing arts, particularly through music composition".
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with the English Chamber Singers, the English Festival Orchestra and soloists including
374:'Tall Ships' score 1977 – Publisher DRM (commission Australian Bicentennial Authority)
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http://www.origintheatrical.com.au/Musicals/CyranodeBergerac/tabid/88/Default.aspx
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Reeves was presented with the Variety Club Award for Service to the Arts in 1995.
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472:'Peace and Love' – from Canterbury Cathedral – 2002 DRM (P) English Gramophone
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Reference the two original album "Becket – The Kiss of Peace" (reviews found at
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ensembles, including the Oriana Singers under the direction of Norman Johnston.
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http://www.midcoast.com.au/~choristers/Inputs/20861%20A4%20Program%201612_3.pdf
380:'Piano Quintet' – 1982 – Publisher DRM (Tone poem based on Australian outback)
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David Reeves at the Grand Organ, Sydney Town Hall – 1971 DRM (P) Unison AAVR
407:'Dorian' – 1997 – (Opera premiered – Arts Theatre London −1997) Publisher DRM
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In 1999 Reeves returned to more conventional texts and recorded his oratorio
371:'The Lord's my Shepherd' 1977 – Publisher DRM (Cantata for choir and organ)
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485:'In Love is an Expensive Place to Die' – 1971 DRM (P) Ultimat ULP 2002
404:'Cyrano' – 1994 – (Musical album recorded Prestige Records – London UK)
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http://www.oscholars.com/TO/Appendix/Scenographies/London/Dorian.htm
227:. A subsequent performance of this work became the highlight of the
482:'Pilgrimage' – 1970 DRM (P) Grenfel David Reeves Productions P/L
441:'The Lord's my Shepherd' (Cantata) 1977 – DRM (P) Bodemo Pty Ltd
359:'Instrumental Pops" – 1968 Publisher Anglo Continental Publishing
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By now completely based in London, Reeves scored Oscar Wilde's
488:'Seven Little Australians Musical And Original Tour' - 1988-89
197:, based on the classic Australian story originally created by
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http://www.discogs.com/label/David+Reeves+Productions+Pty+Ltd
463:'Cyrano' – Reeves/Shaper – 1994 St James (P) Prestige London
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Ballet – 1970 – Publisher DRM (composed for ABC Television)
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published in 2019 in an article titled 'EXPANDED HORIZONS'.
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http://www.cyranodebergerac.fr/cdivideotheque.php?start=15
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Graduate Choir. During the 1960s, English organ builders
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http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/12501911?version1d=14770925
759:"History Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album"
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Seven Little Australians original performing seasons (
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Reeves became particularly identified with the famous
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http://oztheatrical.com/7littleAustralians/index.html
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Reference the original 92 album Cyrano de Bergerac (
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Reeves' first organ appointment was as organist for
761:. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
157:nearly all his compositions as a mature composer.
862:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia
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356:'Tuba I-IV-V' (for organ) – 1966 Publisher DRM
660:Reference the original album (reviews found at
623:http://www.castalbumdb.com/rec.cfm?RNumber=1454
239:. That performance featured the choristers of
338:Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album
720:https://davidreevesmusicaustralia.com/media
707:https://davidreevesmusicaustralia.com/media
694:http://davidreevesmusicaustralia.com/media
662:http://davidreevesmusicaustralia.com/media
612:Reference the 94 album Cyrano de Bergerac.
529:http://davidreevesmusicaustralia.com/media
32:Reeves was born in Sydney and educated at
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718:Ever the Best of Friends opera-musical (
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847:20th-century Australian male musicians
837:21st-century Australian male musicians
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634:Reference ongoing Cyrano de Bergerac (
493:Major Recordings by Reeves as Organist
477:Major Recordings by Reeves as Producer
822:Sydney Conservatorium of Music alumni
231:in 2000, given under the auspices of
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81:in Croydon before being appointed by
51:, both while he was still at school.
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555:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3115773
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180:poetry of Sydney radio personality
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857:21st-century Australian composers
852:20th-century Australian musicians
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189:Australian Bicentennial Authority
827:21st-century conductors (music)
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282:Medal of the Order of Australia
812:Australian classical organists
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592:Reference Cyrano de Bergerac (
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56:Sydney Conservatorium of Music
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807:Australian conductors (music)
756:ARIA Award previous winners.
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278:2019 Queen's Birthday Honours
94:in Sydney with Terry Dear's
79:Presbyterian Ladies' College
77:). He taught briefly at the
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300:. They commenced in 1987.
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527:Original review – Hemans (
225:Becket – The Kiss of Peace
218:The Picture of Dorian Gray
170:Becket – The Kiss of Peace
110:radio broadcasts from the
797:Australian male composers
680:24 September 2015 at the
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817:Male classical organists
673:Official Listing Dorian
566:John Laws Poetry Album (
452:Seven Little Australians
333:Seven Little Australians
194:Seven Little Australians
174:Seven Little Australians
38:St James' Church, Sydney
599:4 February 2014 at the
553:Film by Hanna-Barbera (
540:Reference from period (
280:Reeves was awarded the
68:J. W. Walker & Sons
832:21st-century organists
733:"David Richard Reeves"
647:Records and Listings (
269:Awards and nominations
85:to the music staff of
54:Reeves studied at the
705:Stage Door Songbook (
802:Australian composers
253:David Wilson-Johnson
241:Canterbury Cathedral
60:Alexander Sverjensky
28:Education and career
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235:to raise funds for
229:Canterbury Festival
98:Talent Programmes.
737:honours.pmc.gov.au
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237:the Prince's Trust
233:HRH Prince Charles
213:followed in 1992.
211:Cyrano de Bergerac
172:, and the musical
102:Works as performer
40:, as a chorister.
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294:ARIA Music Awards
288:ARIA Music Awards
152:Works as composer
64:Sydney University
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787:1943 births
351:Major works
142:Gordonstoun
87:Abbotsleigh
781:Categories
515:References
342:Nominated
182:John Laws
96:New Faces
678:Archived
597:Archived
765:12 July
742:11 June
317:Result
276:In the
124:Messiah
314:Award
166:Dorian
119:Handel
58:under
308:Year
767:2022
744:2019
328:1989
321:Ref.
292:The
251:and
121:'s
108:ABC
21:OAM
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