Rachel Merton Music

Bio:

​Rachel began studying composition from 12 years of age at the Young Conservatorium of Music. She studied with Stephen Leek for 5 years, then with Dr Stephen Cronin during her  Bachelor of Music in Composition which she received in 2005 at the Queensland Conservatorium. In 2012 Rachel returned to studies to complete a Master of Music Studies in Composition in 2013.

During that time her achievements included placing’s in the ASME Young Composers Competition 1997-2001, the A.G. Francis Composition Prize in 2002, 2004 Fellowship of Australian Composers Award, and first place in the advanced section of composition for the  Keys Festival for Australian Music (2006). In 2013 Rachel was awarded the National Fine Music FM Young Composers Award which was performed by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choral. During 2015 – 2019 three of her works,  How the Sun Loved the Moon, Chase the Stars and Catch the Dream, and Tree of Life, were commissioned by the Queensland Youth Orchestra Junior String Ensemble directed by Chen Yang, and another string ensemble work  Allegro (2017), commissioned by the Ady Ensemble directed by Adrian Head.  Her works have been aired on 4MBS, ABC Classic FM, and Bay FM; they have also been performed in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne including ensembles such as The Song Company (2003).