Dr Benjamin Thorn

Fixed Term Lecturer, Creative and Performing Arts Education - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Education

Benjamin Thorn

Phone: +61 2 6773 2823

Email: bthorn@une.edu.au

Biography

Benjamin Thorn has a wide background in the creative arts. As a composer his music is published and performed around the world, including in major international events like the World Music Days. He composes both for virtuosic professionals and for educational contexts, and has also prepared performing editions of baroque and renaissance works. He has performed and conducted workshops around Australia and in Europe.
Ben has had two solo exhibitions as a collagist and print maker, and has created installations at the New England Regional Art Museum.
He has directed a number of theatrical productions and has a particular interest in dramatising poetry on stage.
He has worked as a TAFE teacher and as a researcher for the National Printing Industry Training Council, where he was responsible for the first Graphic Arts Industry Training Package.
He is the curator of the Museum of Printing at NERAM and the artistic director of the New England Bach Festival.

Qualifications

PhD, BA(hons), DipEd

Teaching Areas

Music education
Visual arts education

Research Interests

Printing Industry History
Music Education
Semiotics of Music

Publications

Music Publications

Recorders at Large (ed) (includes 23 short pieces by Benjamin Thorn as well as works by other composers), Currency Press: Sydney 1991

The voice of the crocodile, Moeck Verlag: Celle 1991 Edition Moeck 2561

Recorders at Large volume 2 (ed) (includes 5s & 6s & 7s, and Pype and droom and…) Currency Press: Sydney 1995

Songs for my father's wedding, for bass recorder Carus Verlag: Stuttgart 1997 Carus 11.603

The Great Emu War, for recorder quartet Loux Music 1999, LMP 168

Ring around the bath, for 2 guitars, Productions d'Oz: Saint Romuald (QC), 2004 DZ 742

The clock struck 13, for 2 guitars, Productions d'Oz: Saint Romuald (QC), 2004 DZ 745

Where's the other one? For descant and treble recorder (one player) Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 003

Croutons IIIa for treble recorder Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 004

Blue Wombat for treble recorder and piano, Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 008

Purple Pavans Perhaps for recorders (Bass solo, D, Tr, T, B) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 011

Fricasseed Frogs for Felicity for recorders (Treble solo, Tr, 2T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 016

Due giochini esatonici for recorder trio (D, Tr, B) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 018

Minikin for descant recorder and guitar, Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 019

Out of Aegypt for tenor recorder and guitar, Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 025

Canard-canard~ for recorder duet (Tr and D/Tr/T) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 027

worth ninetyeight flying for recorders (solo TR, T, B and GB and ensemble 2Tr, 2T, B) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 030

Chocolate Bulbul for treble recorder, Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 032

A Fox Dance in the Mulberry for recorder quartet (2Tr, T, B) by Zana Clarke and Benjamin Thorn. Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 036

Wild Strawberry Sweet for recorder quartet (D, Tr, T, B) by Zana Clarke and Benjamin Thorn. Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 037

We Hate Brussels Sprouts for recorder sextet (2D, 2Tr, T B) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 038

Five studies in:  12 Intermediate Studies for the Treble Recorder Studies by Zana Clarke, Miggs Coggan, Tallis Fiore, Benjamin Thorn and Rodney Waterman. Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 044

Do It Yourself Renaissance Improvisation, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2000 OMP 051

Duetto ultimo duet for two recorder players each playing descant and treble and singing. , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2000 OMP 052

Pipistrelli gialli  for bass recorder and live electronics. Orpheus Music: Armidale 2000 OMP 054

Forestry in New England and The Waters of Babylon for bass recorder player, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2001 OMP 055

Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance and other English folksongs for recorder trio (D, Tr, T) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2001 OMP 063

Deep Sea Perspectives for eight recorders (3Tr, 2T, 2B, GB) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2001 OMP 067

Mefisto Miniatures for recorder and percussion, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2001 OMP 071

Bouncing for eight recorders (2D, 2Tr, 2T, 2B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 075

Hot Silk for treble recorder and harpsichord, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 081

Bagliori for two descants and harpsichord, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 082

Two diagonals and a squiggle for recorder (D/Tr/T) and percussion, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 083

Time Pieces for recorder quartet (D, Tr, T, B) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 086

Three Cantigas for recorder trio (D, Tr, T), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 087

Salad Undressing for treble recorder and 'cello, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 094

Tall Bamboo for recorder trio (D, Tr, T) by Zana Clarke and Benjamin Thorn. Orpheus Music: Armidale 2002 OMP 097

Dancing in the Mustard Fields for recorder quartet (D, Tr, T, B) by Zana Clarke and Benjamin Thorn. Orpheus Music: Armidale 2003 OMP104

Six Folksongs for Massed Recorders (2D, Tr, T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2003 OMP 110

Harpies' Romp for three recorders (D, Tr, T) and harp, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2003 OMP 111

Wel Annemarieke, waar gaat gij and other Dutch folksongs for recorder trio (D, Tr, T) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2003 OMP114

Bardi's Dream for recorder quintet (2Tr, 2T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2004 OMP120

Is there enough room for 10 recorder players, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2004 OMP 122

Wefts for recorder quintet (2Tr, 2T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2004 OMP 126

Celtic Materials for recorder quartet (D, Tr, T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2004 OMP 127

Three Carols for Massed Recorders  (2D, Tr, T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2004 OMP 128

Ragged Robin for treble recorder, guitar and double bass, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2004 OMP 133

Zemer Atik and other Jewish Songs for recorder quartet (D, Tr, T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2005 OMP 135

Musiques de table for recorder quintet (2Tr, 2T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2005 OMP 136

Three Low Countries Folksongs for massed recorders (2D, Tr, T, B) , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2006 OMP 148

Oc Piece for recorder quartet (D, Tr, 2T), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2008 OMP 195

Glow-worm Dances for recorders and guitars (2D, 2Tr, T B GB, CB, 4 guitars (optional harpsichord)), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2008 OMP 196

Malvina and other English songs for massed recorders (2D, Tr, T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2008 OMP 197

Cross Hatching for 4 cellos, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009 OMSS 003

Clunk and Others for violin and violin duo, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS 004

Evolution of the World for 3 violins and cello, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS 005

A Quire of Quolls for cello and piano, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS006

Croutons VI for solo violin, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS 007

Chickpeas II for viola, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS008

Plumbing for Playpuses for viola and piano, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS009

All your sheep try origami for 3 violins 2 cellos and bass, Orpheus Music: Armidale 2009  OMSS029

"Fuguette" and "Minuetto" in A Handful of Trios (Blom, Bruer, Thorn, Waterman), Orpheus Music: Armidale 2010 OMP 224

A Book of Thorny Carols for three and four recorders Orpheus Music: Armidale 2010 OMP 225

Waking Forest and Animal Dance for recorder quintet, Orpheus Music Armidale 2011 OMP 230

The Manchester Quadrille for recorder trio, Orpheus Music Armidale 2011 OMP 234

Johnny make a wedding and others for recorder trio, Orpheus Music Armidale 2011 OMP 235

When a maid gets to thirty and others for recorder trio. Orpheus Music Armidale 2011 OMP 236

Drone Dances for two treble recorders and humming audience, Orpheus Music Armidale 2011 OMP 239

Three Follies for bass recorder, Orpheus Music Armidale 2012 OMP 242

Any Blue Cat Dances for AATB recorders and harpsichord, Loux Music Hannacroix NY 2012 LMP 210

Performing editions and arrangements

Larry Sitsky, Rhythms, Chords and Elbows (ed) Currency Press: Sydney 1997

Barbara Strozzi, Donna di Maesta (ed and arr.) for recorder and continuo Saraband Music: Sydney1997 SM18

Dario Castello Sonata prima (ed) Saraband Music: Sydney1997 SM19

Dario Castello Sonata seconda (ed) Saraband Music: Sydney1997 SM20

Francesca Cacciini, Two Motets (ed and arr.) for recorder and continuo Saraband Music: Sydney 1997 SM23

Barbara Strozzi, Three Love Songs (ed an arr.) for recorder and continuo Saraband Music: Sydney1997 SM26

G P Telemann Seven Dances from the Wedding Divertissement, (ed and arr,)  Orpheus Music Orlando Series: Armidale 2006 OMOS 002

J C Pepusch The Beggar's Operas Suite (ed and arr.) for two recorders and harpsichord. Orpheus Music Orlando Series: Armidale 2007 OMOS 004

G, Caccini, F Caccini, G Carissimi, Five Early Baroque Songs (ed) Orpheus Music Orlando Series: Armidale 2008 OMOS 005

Euday L Bowman, 12th Street Rag Sextet (Sop, D, 2Tr, T, B), Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 039

Scott Joplin, The Entertainer Sextet (Sop, D, 2Tr, T B) (ed and arr.). Orpheus Music: Armidale 1999 OMP 040

Nicolaus Ammerbach and Benjamin Thorn. Passamezzo Antico Quartet (D, Tr, T B) Orpheus Music: Armidale 2000 OMP 047

Diego Ortiz and Benjamin Thorn Three Recercadas (Set I) Quintet (D, Tr, T, B, GB). Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 053

anon (C15th) and Benjamin Thorn Misery surrounds me for bass recorder, , Orpheus Music: Armidale 2001 OMP072

Diego Ortiz and Benjamin Thorn Three Recercadas (Set II) Quintet (D, Tr, T, B, GB) Orpheus Music: Armidale 1998 OMP 056

Matthew Dubourg, Jig, Minuet and Maggot for recorder trio (ed and arr.) Orpheus Music Armidale 2011 OMP 233

Godfrey Finger, Sonata Op 1 no 7 (1688) (ed) for three recorders and continuo, Loux Music Hannacroix NY 2013 LMP 209

Book Chapters

"ITABs and the VET System" (with Andrew McGowan) in Cope and Freeman (eds) Developing Knowledge Workers in the Printing and Publishing Industries, C-2-C Project Book 4 Common Ground 2002

"Francesco Balilla Pratella" and "Luigi Russolo" in Larry Sitsky (ed) Music of the Twentieth Century Avant-Garde: a biocritical sourcebook, Greenwood Press: Westport Connecticut 2002.

Edited editions of journals

AMC News 13  (1986) "Music for Children" (ed)

Sounds Australian 20 (1988) "Virtuosity" (ed)

Journal Articles (selection)

"Why so few women composers?" in Sounds Australian 21 (1989)

"La ricezione di che cosa? - un modello per la percezione teatrale" in Carte Semiotiche 1, 1986.

"Bless thee Bottom, Bless thee, thou art translated", in noises off... 1987/2.

"'New' sounds from old pipes" in The Recorder 10, 1989

"The listener as (de)composer" in Ossia 2 1990

"What they looked at–studies of audience perception and its prediction" in Altro Polo, 1990

"Will the real recorder please stand up?"  in  The Recorder, 13, 1991

"Why Postmodern Music is Impossible", in Sounds Australian 33 (1992)

"Farmyard – or playing with norms" in Pook 5 (vol 2 no 3 Dec 1994)

"Re-defining industry training" Australian Printer December 1997, p 71.

"A Mug's Guide to Printing Processes" in Art Insight 52 (July 2000)

"Selling Recorder Music to the World" in Sounds Australian 57 (2001).

"Don't be afraid of modern sounds! They're fun!" in Cinnamon Sticks vol 2 no 1 May 2001

"Ross Edwards" in Cinnamon Sticks vol 3 no 1 May 2002

"Getting into Modern Music" in Cinnamon Sticks vol 4 no. 1 May 2003

"Komponieren für Blockflöte im 21. Jahrhundert. Überlegungen eines Komponisten" (Being a Composer in the Twenty-first Century) in Tibia, 4/2006.

"F T Wimble, ink manufacturer, supplier to the printing industry, and Australian nationalist" in Journal of the Printing Historical Society, New Series No 12 winter 2008.

"Tales of an underground printer - Merv Knight interviewed by Benjamin Thorn" in The shadow-land (Brandywine Archive Newsletter) No 29, Dec 2010

Other Publications

Between Design and Pre-press, Printing Industry Information Booklet No 1

Between Pre-press Printing and Finishing, Printing Industry Information Booklet No 3

Paper for Printers, Printing Industry Information Booklet No 5

Printing Waste and the Environment, Printing Industry Information Booklet No 7 Australian Training Products 1998

Music Theory for Primary Educators, CDROM: Training Resource and Multimedia Studio: Armidale, 2006

Theory and Musicianship grades 1-2 CDROM: Training Resource and Multimedia Studio: Armidale, 2006

Theory and Musicianship grades 1-6 CDROM: Training Resource and Multimedia Studio: Armidale, 2006

"You can take a frock to market" talk for history connect 2012: https://vimeo.com/52968970

"The Cabinet of Typographical Monstrosities" a virtual exhibition at NERAM 2012 https://www.slideshare.net/MuseumofPrinting/cabinet-of-typographicalmonstrosities

Memberships

ASME
Australian Music Centre
InSea