Paul Sarcich

Paul Sarcich was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and began a scientific career before turning to music. He started as a percussionist in military bands, then moved into orchestral and freelance work. He studied percussion in the USA with Karen Ervin, and in the UK with Michael Skinner, James Blades, Michael Frye and Nicholas Cole, supported by awards from the Australia Council and the West Australian Arts Council.

He is largely self-taught as a composer, though he studied with Leonard Salzedo in the UK. Most of his work has been commissioned, and much of it — like most of his arrangements — has been broadcast on radio and television, drawing on experience of both commercial and symphonic music.

His writing is marked by rhythmic and dramatic flair. It reflects his background in percussion, brass and voice, and his orchestrational skill. Most of it is written for performers who want new repertoire for their instrument or group.

He has taught music at every educational level, from experiential formats to formal study, been an Artist in Residence at many schools, and a foundation Teaching Artist for the Victorian Arts Centre's Winterarts programme. He has served as Lecturer in Critical Studies at the Victorian College of the Arts School of Music.

Other work has included vocal study and performance, conducting, adjudicating, concert direction and music journalism. The years 1994 and 1995 were spent in the UK and Europe, in music typography, harmonic chant and flamenco.