Michael Atherton
Michael Atherton was born in 1950, Liverpool, England – the
eldest of five children. His father is of Irish and Welsh extraction.
His mother is German. The family migrated to Australia in 1965
and lived at Bunnerong Migrant Hostel, a former army barracks
near Matraville, NSW. He went to Matraville High School and
mixed with the Indigenous community at La Perouse. He taught
himself to play guitar and formed bands with friends – who were
Greek, Italian and Maltese migrants – as well as playing soccer
with them.
The migrant experience and his curiosity about vernacular as
well as notated music led Atherton to study music formally at
the University of Sydney and the University of New England where
he was attracted to ethnomusicology.
Atherton's performing career began in popular music. He played
early music in the Renaissance Players (1974-1980), and was
a founding member of Sirocco (1980-6), exploring musical syncretism.
He formed Southern Crossings in 1986 with a focus on commissioned
repertoire.
In 1993 Atherton became Professor of Music at the University
of Western Sydney, building a department committed to contemporary
Australian music making. He helped establish a music therapy
centre and is now an Associate Dean (Research).
Atherton is also a film composer with several nominations. Credits
include the feature, Dogwatch (2000), as well as APRA and Australian
Guild of Screen Composers nominations and awards for the documentaries,
Admission Impossible and Riding the Tiger.
His concert music includes Jiriyai! (2006) for percussionist
and dancer; Kamawarah (2001) for orchestra and Indigenous performers;
The Mahogany Ship (1994) for the Sydney Children's Choir; Exhortation
(1996) for the Contemporary Singers and Synergy (1996); and
Kalliopeia Sopha (2001) for Gondwana Voices.
Recent recordings include Parallel Lines (2006) – an electroacoustic
music project with Garth Paine; A pocketful of songs (2004)
– songs and instrumentals for pre-school and infant children;
Sea and Mountain: music in the Korean style (2003); Melismos
(2003) – an investigation of ancient Greek music; Aurora (2003)
with James Ashley Franklin; and Ankh - the sound of ancient
Egypt (1998); and Ankala: rhythms from the outer core (1997)
with Janawirri Yiparrka and Mark Atkins.
Atherton also supports research into Australian made musical
instruments and sound producing objects. He authored Australian
Made, Australian Played (1990) and compiled Sounds Unlimited:
building the instruments, Sounds Australian No. 62. Atherton
is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacture
and Commerce and in 2003 was awarded a Centenary Medal for service
to the community.
Contact Michael