Described as “riveting” (The New York Times), “compellingly original” (Boston Phoenix), “full, extravagant and wild” (Sydney Morning Herald), and “kitchen-sink expressionism; edgy, bright and entertaining as hell” (NewMusicBox), the works of Nicholas Vines (b.1976, Sydney) have been performed by such interpreters as Alarm Will Sound, BMOP, Ensemble Offspring, the Schola Cantorum Gedanesis Chamber Choir, the BT Scottish Ensemble and the Australian Voices.
He has received commissions from established organisations around the world, such as Callithumpian Consort, Firebird Ensemble, mmm…, Guerilla Opera, ChamberMade Opera, the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Recognition for Vines’ work includes APRA/AMC Art Music, Helpmann and Green Room Awards (2011/2012, 2007, 2006), runner-up in the 2010 Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute, an honourable mention in the 2006 Salvatore Martirano Competition (USA), and 2nd Prize in the ‘Musica Sacra 2005′ Competition (Poland). Published by Wirripang, Faber Music, the Australian Composers Online Project and Alexander Street Press’ Classical Scores Library, the bulk of his work is available through the Australian Music Centre.
A CD of Vines’ compositions featuring the Callithumpian Consort, Torrid Nature Scenes, was released on Navona Records in May 2013. Graduating in 2007 with a PhD from Harvard University, Vines taught theory and composition there and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before taking up a position at Sydney Grammar School. He has run the New Works Program for New England Conservatory’s Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice since 2007.
