John D'Arcy

John D'Arcy, B.Mus (Comp) Syd Uni, Dip Ed. Dip Ed. (Music, Mathematics) T.Cert

John retired from full time teaching music and mathematics in 2001 hoping to spend more time composing and directing. Most of his teaching was at Sydney Grammar - 15yrs at St Ives Prep School, and 5 yrs at the college. Having taught full time in Penrith High, Ascham Girls, St Patricks College, Reddam House, and more recently at Moss Vale High, and Greenvale College, he is very aware of a variety of teaching situations. He was for several years the main tutor for the Saturday School at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (for Primary students with exceptional musical ability).

For 25 years, John conducted weekend and Summer School workshops for students of all ages, especially in conjunction with Suzuki Talent Education.

As a conductor: John worked a dozen orchestras and choirs, including the Blue Mountains Orchestra, Suzuki String Orchestra, Peter Seymour Orchestra (Sydney Youth Orchestras), the Lane Cove Youth Orchestra, and Sing Australia Southern Highlands. He is currently conductor of the Highland Singers.

As a musical director: Salad Days, Pajama Game, Turtle Drum, Tom Sawyer, Manutea, Noyes Fludde (Benjamin Britten), Wizard of Oz, and various 'Parent Reviews', Back to the Eighties, Charades, Summer Rain, Sanity Clause, Anything Goes, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Jekyll and Hyde, Alice in Wonderland, Rumplestiltskin, I Love You, You're Perfect and Chicago.

As a composer: John wrote a musical "Rumplestiltskin" with John Forbes (young playwright). His output includes orchestral settings and arrangements, but he prefers smaller groups such as Orff percussion, quartets, SATB choir or solo songs.  He is publishing his compositions now through Wirripang Australian Music Publishers.

As a performer: John sung in several choirs and taken lead roles in "Noyes Fludde", “Orfeus in the Underworld", "Back to the Eighties", "My Fair Lady", "Sanity Clause" and "The Music Man". He has performed as piano soloist and repetiteur regularly since moving to the Highlands 19 yrs ago.  He regularly played solo piano at wedding and party functions, Harvey’s Bar at the Gibraltar Hotel, and for Silent movies in the Southern Highlands and Sydney.  John is also the organist for several churches.

John has been teaching piano at Powerpoint Music, Bowral and at his home studio for the last 13 years, but now teaches at home, and travels to various several student’s homes.

In 2020 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to music.

See all works by John in our shop