Dr Philip Matthias

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2005
• Bachelor of Music (Honours), University of Sydney
• Associate of the Royal College of Music, Royal College of Music

Research

Research keywords

• Church music. Composition

Research expertise

My research has involved Australian church music and composition, especially in light of new liturgies over the past 20 years. The bulk of my research has been to develop a more identifiable Australian style of liturgical music, through both use of modern texts and through musical style. The compositions range from works suitable for performance in Cathedral or similar situations, through to some works suitable for parish worship. Eight settings of the Mass have been composed, ranging from simple cantor-style settings through to settings for choir, orchestra, organ, hand-bells and congregation. Similarly, I have written many works set to texts from "A Prayer Book for Australia". Many of these works include parts for congregation, whereby (as in the Mass settings) the choir part may be fairly substantial, whilst the congregation part remains as an integral part of the music, thus allowing the involvment of all present to actively be a part of music through worship.

Fields of Research

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Co-ordinator of "Creative and Analytical Studies in Music 3", overseeing students' progress through their academic studies at the Conservatorium. Chamber Choir- includes organising 4 overseas tours since 2000, and recording and manufacture of 5 compact disc recordings.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Academics. Chamber Choir. Organ

Teaching expertise

In academic areas, specialise in teaching of harmony and aural, whilst also teaching music history and orchestration at various stages. Teaching also pipe organ to students of all levels. Also taking Chamber choir, which specialises in modern works, including a substantial amount of Australian works.