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Biography
Infobox person| honorific_prefix =| name = Gareth Farr| honorific_suffix = New Zealand Order of Merit|ONZM | image = Gareth Farr 004.jpg| alt = A man in his 40s wearing a Pounamu pendant| caption = Farr in 2011| birth_name =| birth_date = Birth date and age|1968|02|29|df=y| birth_place = Wellington , New Zealand | death_date = | death_place =| death_cause =| resting_place =| resting_place_coordinates = | monuments =| residence =| nationality = New Zealand|New Zealander | other_names = Lilith LaCroix| education =| alma_mater = Unbulleted list| University of Auckland | Victoria University of Wellington | Eastman School of Music | occupation = Unbulleted list| Composer | Percussion instrument|Percussionist | Drag artist | years_active =| employer =| organization =| agent =| known_for =| notable_works =| style =| influences =| influenced =| home_town =| television =| religion =| spouse =| partner =| children =| parents =| relatives =| awards =| website = Gareth Vincent Farr New Zealand Order of Merit|ONZM (born 29 February 1968) is a New Zealand composer and Percussion instrument|percussionist . He has released a number of classical CDs and composed a number of works performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and Royal New Zealand Ballet . He has also performed in drag under the name Lilith LaCroix in a show called Drumdrag and has also released a CD under that name.
Early life and career
Farr was born in Wellington in 1968.cite web|title=Famous New Zealanders : Gareth Farr|url= http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/kids/famousnewzealanders/gareth.asp|publisher=Christchurch City Libraries|accessdate=28 September 2011 He began his studies at the University of Auckland in musical composition|composition , orchestration and electronic music . While studying there, he performed as a member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) and the Karlheinz Company. Farr was always available as a performer to play new works by other composers. Returning to Wellington in 1988 for further study at Victoria University of Wellington , he gained note for his compositions, at this time becoming increasingly excited with exploring the Indonesia n gamelan . He played percussion frequently with the NZSO before going to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York for advanced study.
Later career
Farr became the composer in residence with Chamber Music New Zealand at 25, the youngest person to hold that post. In 1994, he had four works commissioned for the 1994 International Festival of the Arts including ''Lilith's Dream of Ecstasy and works for flautist Alexa Still and pianist Michael Houstoun as well as a ballet. In 1996 he signed to music publisher Promethean Editions becoming a founding house composer.
His work From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs was specially commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the NZSO. Farr also wrote an orchestral piece Te Papa for the opening of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa|Te Papa , the National Museum of New Zealand, in 1998.
In 2000, the NZSO performed his percussion concerto Hikoi with Evelyn Glennie at the 2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney Olympics . He has released four CDs of his work on the Trust label with the fifth, Ruaumoko released in early 2006. Refreshments music reviews, New Zealand Listener 2005-11-05, Vol. 201 Issue 3417, p41
In 2005, he provided the music for Vula staged during the Christchurch Arts Festival prior to the world debut of his Triple Concerto performed by the New Zealand Trio and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra . During 2006, New Zealand premieres of Farr's music included Funambulistic Strains for orchestra and trombone, performed by David Bremner and the NZSO, The Wedding for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and TROY the Musical with librettist Paul Jenden.
In December 2005 Farr visited Antarctica as part of Antarctica New Zealand 's artist programme. The result of the two week residency was a piece for baritone singer and orchestra inspired by the ill fated last expedition of Robert Falcon Scott . The work was performed in 2008 by London based New Zealand singer Paul Whelan and the NZSO.
In 2008, Gareth was appointed Composer in Residence of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra|APO . Farr composed a memorial piece for the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake|Christchurch earthquake , ''Nor'West Arch'', first performed on 25 September 2011. The title makes reference to a particular Nor'west arch|Christchurch weather pattern , but is also that part of the ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch|ChristChurch Cathedral that received most damage in the earthquake. Dean Peter Beck (cleric)|Peter Beck was part of the performance, reading out an introduction and a reflection.cite web|title=Christchurch Memorial|url= http://www.nzac.canterbury.ac.nz/docs/ChCh%20Memorial%20Concert%20flyer.pdf |publisher=Christchurch Arts Festival|accessdate=7 October 2011 |format=PDF cite web|title=Works by Farr Feature in Christchurch Memorial Concert|url= http://www.promethean-editions.com/php/NewsDetail.php? ID=225 |publisher=Promethean Editions Ltd|accessdate=7 October 2011 The concert was one of the highlights of the 2011 Christchurch Arts Festival.cite web|title=Christchurch Arts Festival a Success Against the Odds|url= http://www.nz2011.govt.nz/news/christchurch-arts-festival-a-success-against-the-odds |publisher=Ministry of Economic Development|accessdate=7 October 2011
Alongside Jack Body , Gillian Whitehead and John Psathas , Farr is one of the noted New Zealand composers.cite web|last= Swarbrick|first= Nancy|title=Creative life - Music |url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/creative-life/7 |publisher=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand|accessdate= 28 September 2011|date=15 June 2010
Lilith LaCroix
Gareth Farr also performs in drag as Lilith LaCroix in cabaret shows. Since 1997, the cabaret Drumdrag features Lilith playing the drums and Farr has recorded a CD released under her name.cite web|last= Swarbrick|first= Nancy|title=Gareth Farr|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/creative-life/7/11 |publisher=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand|accessdate=28 September 2011|date=14 June 2010 LaCroix also made a music video to promote the album. Advertisers have also asked LaCroix to appear in advertisements.
Farr promotes himself as an entertainer as well as a composer:
I would, perhaps, be criticised for being too entertaining by some composers, but I don't know what's wrong with that because that is why I write music—I'm an entertainer. That's a dirty word in the classical department, but I don't care. I've even got it on my business card — composer/entertainer — because, hey, let's face it, that's what I do."White Hot" The Press arts feature 26 October 2005, page D1
Honours
Farr was made an Officer of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to music and entertainment.
Persondata | NAME = Farr, Gareth | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = Composer, Percussionist, Drag artist | DATE OF BIRTH = 29 February 1968 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Wellington | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Farr, Gareth Category:1968 births Category:LGBT composers Category:LGBT musicians from New Zealand Category:Living people Category:New Zealand composers Category:Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni Category:People associated with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa?
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