Biographical

Stephen Cronin was born in Brisbane, Australia. He studied composition and piano at the University of Queensland and was awarded the Master of Music degree in composition and subsequently a Doctor of Philosophy in Composition from that institution. During 1985-86 he studied at the University of London and on his return to Australia was appointed to the staff of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

Stephen's works have been performed and commissioned by leading Australian and overseas groups including various orchestras, Duo Contemporain, Octomania, The Seymour Group, Synergy and The Song Company. Many of his vocal works are settings of text written by New York artist Leon Waller.

Awards he has received include a Rotary Foundation scholarship, the Percy Brier Memorial Prize for Music Composition, the Dalley-Scarlett Memorial Scholarship, the inaugural Paul Lowin Song Cycle Award, the A. H. Maggs commission, a Vienna Modern Masters recording project and an Australia Council Composer Fellowship.

As a teacher Stephen believes in exposing students to a broad variety of styles and genres. His composition teaching focuses on the establishment of a solid compositional craft based on strong aural and theoretical foundations. Various projects at QCGU have supported these aims such as The Rag Project and the Composers in Schools Project which have resulted in publication of compact discs of new music by young composers.

Last updated July 2021 Author:Stephen Cronin