Geoffrey d'Ombrain

After a busy life in music education, the highlight of which was the founding of the music course at the former Melbourne State College, D'Ombrain now pursues his real musical passions: improvisation, composition and performing. Flute playing is a central part of all this, as is the attraction of music derived from bird calls.

Geoffrey d’Ombrain has lived a very long life, turning 90 while completing Music Theatre Works for Children, Vol. 1 – Australia and it's People, Vol. 2, Earth, Environment, Animals, Vol. 2, Energy, Social Issues, History. The books give the background story associated with each of the “operettas” or music theatre works written for schools and the community.

Geoffrey has engaged fully in all aspects of the life that he has encountered. Creativity in education and musical performance and composition have been the hallmarks of his career. Growing up in the great depression he became conscious of the great divides in life. He describes himself as a socialist. He was old enough to experience the horror of World War 2, be it at a distance. Geoffrey is famous for telling stories; but Geoffrey’s stories are about real people and real happenings in life. He has a remarkable memory and eye for detail. More than this, research skills honed in the field of education are expertly applied so that authenticity is diligently sought.

Geoffrey still attends reunions with former students from the course he established in music at Melbourne State College. They never cease to sing its praises. When Geoffrey first went overseas to American 1972, he asked himself what he could be proud of in being an Australian. He had and still has only one answer to this question, the remarkable cultures of our now appropriately called, First Nations’ Australians. Geoffrey is very fortunate. He can still exercise his passion for singing folk songs from around the world and improvise on the flute with virtuosic prowess. Geoffrey’s life has displayed a passion for music, literature (poetry in particular), visual arts, theatre and dance. Skills in composition and electronic music underpin his work.