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About

Wirripang Pty Ltd (formerly Publications by Wirripang) was established in 1987 as a publisher of books. In 1990 it commenced publishing the music of the composer, Horace Keats (1895-1945). The success of this venture and the acclamation it has brought from a wide variety of musicians and audiences encouraged Wirripang to extend its efforts by embracing contemporary Australian composers with a view to making their work more accessible to a wider public. [If interested, read below for the origin of the name "Wirripang"]

Wirripang Pty Ltd
18/106 Corrimal Street
Wollongong NSW 2500 Australia

Phone: 02 4228 9388
Fax: 02 4228 9377
Email: keats@wirripang.com.au

ABN 24 141 876 244

New Composers

Wirripang is happy to consider works of new composers based on the following criteria. These works will be anonymously assessed by a panel (see below) of academics, composers, teachers and performers who meet every six months.

  • Works must contain compositional craft, originality and be professionally presented. See below for publishing requirements.
  • Two (2) separate typeset hard copies of each of three (3) works to be presented with all reference to composer's name removed.*
  • At least one (1) recording (if possible) of one of the three works.
  • If an orchestral work, it must have a live performance recording to accompany score.
  • The composer will guarantee a minimum of five (5) works for publication during the first 12 months after acceptance.

We strongly encourage composers to have all works performance tested and/or vetted by a performer before presentation before the panel.

Please supply a CV or biographical notes and any supporting material that you think appropriate to the works being submitted. (*Wirripang will not return material sent for review unless an appropriately stamped, return addressed envelop is supplied.)
Publishing Requirements:
    Margins required for all works, score (and parts) to be 15mm each side and 30mm top and bottom, except top of first page where additional space is required for the title.  If certain works require more space per page, then the top and bottom margins can be reduced providing that all pages within the work retain the same top and bottom margin.  There is no flexibility in the side margins.  Separate title page is not required.
    Both top and bottom systems should line up, however, if special layout does not allow this, then the top systems should line up.
    Systems to be spaced evenly, both within the system (where practicable) and on the page, with special attention given to 'friendly' page turns.  Please avoid one bar on the final page of the work or movement.  Cramped systems will be rejected.
    So that lyrics can be read easily, ensure spacing within the system is not cramped.
    Fonts may be of individual choice.

The panel is represented by:

Professor Michael Atherton, Writing and Society Research Centre, University of Western Sydney

Dr Rita Crews, PhD(UNE), BA(Hons), A.MusTCL, GradCertDistEd(UNE), FMusicolASMC, HonFNMSM, DipMus(hc)(AICM). President, Music Teachers' Association of NSW, Deputy Chair, Australian Music Examinations Board (NSW), former Head, Professional Development Australian International Conservatorium of Music, Written Syllabus Advisor and Examiner (AMEB) and Examiner International Baccalaureate Organisation

John Wayne Dixon, MA (Hons), AMusA, LTCL. Lecturer in Composition, Performance and Sound Studies Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong

Dr Michael Dixon, DCA (UOW), MMus (Contemporary Musicology), MPhil (Composition), LRSM, FTCL, former Principal Horn Queensland Orchestra and guest Principal Horn AOBO

Wendy Dixon Dip.Mus (Hons), Master of Music (Mus Ed), Guest Artist Soloists for Opera Australia, private studio and educational teacher of singing

Dr Houston Dunleavy, composer and conductor.  Academic staff member, The Australian Institute of Music; Musical Director, Sydney Male Choir; Adjunct Fellow, The Australian National University

David Miller AM, BA (Hons), Chair Ensemble Studies, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Piano/Accompaniment)

Dr John Peterson, BMus (Hons), MMus, PhD (Sydney), Composer, and Senior Lecturer in Composition at the School of the Arts and Media, University of New South Wales

Dr Margery Smith, PhD (UNEW); composer and performer (clarinet and saxophone); Certificate of Performance and Communication Skills, Guildhall School of Music and Drama (UK), Diploma in MusicEducation, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

    "Wirripang New Composition"

    This is an innovative new scheme to provide a winner of a recognised competition an opportunity to have his or her winning work published by Wirripang.  It is designed to provide encouragement, incentive and a publishing outlet for a new composer.
    All works published under this scheme will be known as "Wirripang New Composition" (WNC) an imprint of Wirripang Pty. Ltd.  A category under this heading will be created on the website and will be promoted in a similar way to existing composers, although composers published under WNC will have their biographical profile attached to their work listing. An agreement will be entered into for five years and 10% royalty will be paid on net sales.
    WNC eligibility: The winner must be chosen from a competition conducted by a recognised organisation approved of by Wirripang with the rules and conditions of the competition  acceptable to Wirripang.
    Wirripang is to be promoted as the end publisher during the advertising period of the competition. The competition guidelines should indicate the presentation and set-out requirements standard for publishing by Wirripang. The work will only be accepted if typeset in a computer music program and Wirripang has the right to make recommendations and changes to presentation to ensure compatibility with its publishing style.  It further has the right to reject poor quality presentation or make recommendations to improve the presentation. The work will also be submitted for final approval by the Wirripang Review Panel.

      Origin of the name

      During the course of the 1930’s the radio station 2BL (Broadcasters Limited and now known as 702) ran a program for children titled the Australian Bora Centre. Young regular listeners, upon application, were able to become members and were allocated a totem and a name. My older brother Russell (born 1921) joined the Circle at a date unknown, and was inducted into the Brolga totem and given the name Wirripang, The Eagle of the Brolga.

      Our parents, Janet and Horace Keats, were both musicians; our mother was a singer (and also a fine pianist) giving both regular broadcasts and recitals and our father a conductor, pianist and later of course, a composer. Both of them were involved with the ABC from the formation of 2FC and later 2Bl and continued when these two stations amalgamated to form the ABC.

      Russell joined the RAN during 1939 and with a regular income had the foresight to take out an insurance policy. Sadly the proceeds of this policy were realised far sooner than anyone expected, because Russell was killed in action in his ship HMAS Canberra in the infamous battle of Savo Sound during August 1942.

      With the proceeds of this insurance and Russell’s deferred pay (sailors did not have superannuation benefits then) our parents purchased their first home in Mosman, lower north shore of Sydney, and they named it "Wirripang".

      Together with my wife and business partner, Anne, we retained the name in houses subsequently owned by us. So when seeking a name for our business we knew it had to be Wirripang.

      The logo we use is circular with the eagle on the top looking down on a whale beneath. The eagle is Wirripang and the whale is symbolic of our business commencing its life in Mosman in 1987. The whale represents the early whaling days in Mosman and is part of the current crest for Mosman.

      Brennan Keats