Photo credit: Gareth Watkins /
Welcome
Composer, conductor, author, speaker, educator and publisher Philip Norman has been entertaining New Zealand audiences for forty-five years. His output of over 250 compositions ranges from orchestral, chamber music and opera (A Christmas Carol) through secular and sacred choral and vocal works, to musicals with playwright Roger Hall (including Love Off the Shelf and Footrot Flats – still New Zealand’s best selling musical) and ballets for the Royal New Zealand Ballet such as the highly successful Peter Pan (toured New Zealand three times)
Philip holds a PhD in musicology and is the award-winning
author of Douglas Lilburn: His Life and Music and the compiler and publisher of John Ritchie at Ninety: a festschrift. He was invested as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to music and music theatre in 2015. He was the recipient of the 2017/2018 Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship and is currently writing a history of composition in New Zealand.
UPCOMING EVENTS
mahy magic
Peter Walls, conductor
with singers Robert Tucker and Georgia Jamieson-Emms
Postponed from February/March due to Covid lockdown.
Performances in Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga
Musical settings by Philip Norman of poems and stories by Margaret Mahy. Magic and sparkle for all ages.
TBA
Jul
11
Apr
New Zealand premiere of
wild symphony
by Dan Brown (da Vinci Code author)
Philip Norman, conductor
Sunday 11 April 2pm and 4pm, The Piano, Christchurch
A charming orchestral suite all about animals. For children and their big people. Hot off the press by one of the world's most successful authors, also a composer and poet.
13
Jun
Vive La France
Philip Norman, conductor
Risingholme Orchestra and guest artists
Sunday 13 June 2.30pm, The Piano, Christchurch
A sequel to Risingholme's sold-out Viva L'Italia concert. Presents un buffet of French music: some meaty, some
cheesy, all Gallic flavoured and served under Philip's baguette. Pieces from the Moulin Rouge, Paris Opera
and the Palace of Versailles
8
May
God Save The Queens
Philip Norman, conductor
Jubilate Singers, Christchurch Symphonic Brass,
Oriana vocal quartet, Sarah-Jane Rennie and
Thomas Eves
Saturday 8 May, 7.45pm, St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Christchurch
A right royal celebration of music composed for the ruling queens of England – Elizabeth I and II, Mary, Anne and Victoria.
Douglas Lilburn:
His life and Music
A 21-chapter salute to a cultural icon. Winner of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2007 biography category, this book offers fascinating insights into the world of New Zealand music, literature and fine art through the eyes and ears of one of New Zealand’s most creative sons, ‘the father of New Zealand composition’, Douglas Lilburn.
Douglas Lilburn: His Life and Music can be purchased for $40 (plus postage and packaging)
Please contact for further details