Biography

PERFORMER

  • (2019) Melbourne International Jazz Festival (YID!), FOJAM (Melbourne Recital Centre, YID!)

  • (2018) Ashkenaz Festival (Canada, YID!), Womadelaide (YID!)

  • (2017) Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival (qoqo8), Shir Madness Festival (Alter Jazz Ensemble, YID!)

  • (2016) US Tour (Alter Jazz Ensemble in LA, BO, NY)

COMPOSER/ARRANGER

  • (2019) Composed all material for Red See Blu’s self-titled album, launched by the Boîte, distributed through Crackbell Records

  • (2019) Arranged 2 songs for Festival of Jewish Art and Music (Melbourne Recital Centre, YID!)

  • (2019) Composed Glat Azoy  for ‘Play Me A Poem’ (National Theatre)

  • (2018) Composed original score to ‘Outback Rabbis’ (SBS, dir. Danny Ben Moshe)

  • (2017) 25 original compositions included in the Australian Real Book

  • (2016) Composed original score to ‘Life Asked Death’ (dir. Mike Hill) and ‘Strictly Jewish’ (ABC, dir. Danny Ben Moshe)

  • (2012-15) Arranged songs for 4 annual concerts with Stonnington Symphony Orchestra, featuring Joe Camillieri, Rebecca Barnard, Dave Graney and the Black-Eyed Susans

  • (2015) Composed & produced original score to “Take Heart” (collaboration with Mark Atkins, didgeridoo)

MUSIC DIRECTOR

  • (2019) Yiddishe Divas, season of performances at Kadimah

  • (2001 - 2018) Annual Israel Independence day concerts since 2001 (taking place in Hamer Hall, Rod Laver Arena, MRC and other venues)

  • (2017) Karen Feldman CD launch (Kadimah Culture Centre, February)

  • (2016) Third international tour for the Alter Jazz Ensemble (US)

EDUCATION

  • PhD in Music Composition, University of Melbourne, 2011

  • Master of Music (Composition), University of Melbourne, 2006

  • Master of Music (Composition for the Screen), Royal College of Music, 2005

AWARDS

2020: Sustaining Creative Workers Grant (Creative Victoria)

2018: Music Works Grant (Creative Victoria)

2014: Walkley Documentary Award (original score)

2014: New Work Grant (Australian Council for the Arts)

2011: Clefworks Composition Competition - Runner Up (US, 2011)

2010: National Composers Forum (Australian String Quartet)

2009: Cultural Development Grant (City of Port Phillip)

2009: AGL Shaw Summer Fellowship (State Library)

2008: Melbourne Research Scholarship

2008: Artist-in-Residence at Melbourne High School (Arts Victoria)

2007: Composer Development Program (Symphony Services Australia)

WEB LINKS

Artist website

Frock website

Adam Starr Online Project

YID!

ESKE

Red See Blu

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Melbourne Polytechnic: 2012 – current, Lecturer, Higher Education –  Bachelor of Music

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Adam has composed themes and cues in the following styles:

  • Orchestral: Full Orchestra, Mozart Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble

  • Tango

  • Dance: House, Funk

  • Latin

  • African

  • Jingle

  • Country and Western

  • Circus

  • Metal: Thrash, Hard Rock

  • Electro-Acoustic

  • Hip-Hop

  • Pop

  • Jazz: Trad, Modern, Big Band

  • Sound Design

Adam's music brings a project to life by imbuing it with drama, passion, intrigue, warmth or humour. Complementing this is his ability to read and spot a film, work to a deadline, seamlessly compose around multiple sync points, and get the best value from a music budget. His flexibility as a composer allows him to adapt well to the stylistic demands of any assignment.