Andrew Batterham
Composer and Musician
What is your musical background?
I come from a musical family, with previous generations involved with the ABC and lots of musical institutions in Melbourne. I studied trumpet and piano at school, then composition at uni. Playing the trumpet especially has led me to work in lots of different parts of the music industry, including screen music, live bands, big bands, Latin bands, and education in schools and at tertiary level. I’m full time at the Australian Institute of Music, Melbourne campus, as a teacher of composition, theory, keyboard and in student support. I’m really enjoying exploring the choral world, having worked with Southern Voices and a few school choirs in Melbourne.
What is your advice to singers performing your works?
I write music that I would love hearing, so my advice would be to really try and enjoy learning and rehearsing the music, as it will shine out in your performance. Every piece has hard parts and easy parts; look forward to them all!
Find songs by Andrew:
The Coffee Song (SSA with piano)
The Coffee Song (SATB with piano)
The Coffee Song (SABar with piano)
Psalm 70: Save me O God (SATB with organ)
Psalm 70: Save me O God (SATB with piano)
Psalm 117: Praise the Lord all Nations (SATB with piano)
What are your favourite pieces you’ve composed?
I’m happy with each piece I write, but I’ve always felt a little emotional when I hear ‘The Old House’, about the house I grew up in. I also love ‘The Coffee Song’ because it is so full of energy!