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Rosa has an “incredible way with haunting melodies, matched perfectly with choral colours.”

Isaac Stone - Director of Supertonic and Blue Notes

About

Rosa Elliott (b. 1998) is a Christchurch-based composer and educator recognised for her evocative musical voice. Rosa's music is often characterized by its rich emotional depth and connection to the unique cultural landscape of New Zealand. Her music has been noted for its lyrical quality and ability to resonate with audiences on both personal and societal levels.

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Following an undergraduate degree at the University of Canterbury, Rosa pursued a Master of Music from the University of Auckland, focusing her research on the intricate relationship between language and music. Her growing body of work spans choral, orchestral, solo, and chamber compositions, with performances by prominent ensembles including the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, New Zealand Youth Choir, Voices New Zealand, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

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Rosa has received a number of accolades for her works which include winning the SOUNZ Big Sing Composition Competition (2015), Douglas Lilburn Competition (2017, 2020, 2021) and NZCF Compose Aotearoa (2020). In 2021, she was appointed composer-in-residence for Choirs Aotearoa, as well as young composer-in-residence for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

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Beyond her compositional work, Rosa is the sole-charge teacher of music at Villa Maria College. Her passion for choral music is maintained by actively singing in the Christchurch Youth Choir and New Zealand Youth Choir.

Listen

ROSA ELLIOTT: What Have You Done to Your Rivers?
12:32

ROSA ELLIOTT: What Have You Done to Your Rivers?

ROSA ELLIOTT: What Have You Done to Your Rivers? Rosa Elliott’s ‘What Have You Done to Your Rivers?’ sets the poetry of Cantabrian writers Blanche Baughan and Ursula Bethell, to highlight the, “pollution of the New Zealand landscape, in particular the rivers of Canterbury, and dwell on the grievous consequences of this neglect.” Rosa writes, “The first song, ‘What is the River?,’ uses excerpts from Blanche Baughan’s ‘A Bush Section’ in which she marvels at the ‘running river’ and calls others to listen closely to its stirring. The second is taken from Ursula Bethell’s By the River Ashley, basking in the music of the Waimakariri as the “ripples and silence sing together.” The work ends with Bethell’s sobering turn as the once sweet voice of nature begins to lament and probe its listeners: “what have you done to your rivers?” The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with conductor Hamish McKeich is joined by soprano Jenny Wollerman and baritone Robert Tucker in this SOUNZ Film captured at the 2020 NZ Composer Sessions. Audio recorded by RNZ Concert. Film funded by NZ On Air. -- Further information about the composer biographies associated with these films can be discovered at https://www.sounz.org.nz/ Explore our extensive catalogue of scores, CDs, books and resource library at https://www.sounz.org.nz/info-for/sounz-collection-library Connect with #SOUNZ on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOUNZnz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOUNZnz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sounz_nz/ #nzmusic #classicalmusic

Contact

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