Brett McKern

Dr Brett McKern is an organist, composer, choir director, lecturer, music teacher, and consultant on music and music education.

Brett has an international career as a composer with his music being performed in at least eight countries including England, Belgium, France, Germany, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. His music has been performed and broadcasted in multiple Australian states. Brett is an award-winning composer (Australia & Canada) and has published over one hundred works in Australia and abroad. Brett is often commissioned by professional soloists (particularly organists), liturgical choirs, secular choirs (such as the Song Co), school choirs, orchestras, and others. He has also written pedagogical material (such as the latest AMEB piano sight-reading book). His music has been performed at such prestigious venues as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral, London; and Washington National Cathedral.

Brett holds degrees in music, education, theology, and two doctorates in musical composition including a PhD from Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Trinity College of Music, London, and the Guild of Church Musicians. He has lectured at various universities and at theological college, and was an Adjunct Associate Professor. He examines written music both online and as one of three national diploma examiners, and is a syllabus adviser for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), as well as being called upon to examine university research degrees. Brett has adjudicated multiple composition competitions, and sits on the Advisory Panel for the music publisher Wirripang. He is a Represented Composer of the Australian Music Centre. Brett consults on music and music education including for an international music education software developer; as well as lecturing to music teachers on pedagogical technique.

Brett has performed as an organist and choir director in four countries, and been recorded for DVD, CD and film. He was the organist on the soundtrack for the Australian feature film Animal Kingdom. He has released a solo CD of organ music and improvisations, and features as organist, choir director or composer on numerous other CDs.

Brett also teaches and many of his private organ, theory and composition students have gone on to read music at university, and a number are now professional musicians.

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