Stuart Orchard is a West Australian composer-performer, sound designer and educator. His work with ambient piano soundscapes, aeolian music, self-made string instruments and adventurous rock music have seen him perform around the world, including at SoundOut Festival (Canberra), Tanzforum (Berlin), and the Walyalup Weekend of Improvised Music (Perth). His music has been used in the ABC TV production The Heights (2019); he has also been commissioned by Tone List (Audible Edge Festival, 2020) and by Joseph Simons’ for his solo choreographic work First Thing’s First, which toured in over 40 venues worldwide. He has worked, recorded and played with influential musicians across genres, including Mark Reeder, Jean Luc Guionnet, Jim Denley & Jodie Rottle. He is active playing in an array of bands and improvised collaborations across Perth.

Stuart is interested in immersive listening, and the connection of musicians and listeners to their environment through its natural forces & stories. He has a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) in music composition, where he focused on interactive aeolian instruments & sculptures. He has undertaken further intensive studies with Billy Martin (The New School, NYC) and Jim Denley (via Tone List), and also holds qualifications in writing & secondary education.

Acknowledgment

Stuart Orchard lives and makes music on Whadjuk Noongar/Bibbulmun land, and has also worked extensively on Ngunnuwal and Yamatji land. He pays respect to Whadjuk Noongar/Bibbulmun, Yamatji and Ngunnawal elders past and present and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture on Country that was never ceded.