Move Records

Paul Sarcich

Paul Sarcich was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and embarked on a scientific career before switching to music. He began as a percussionist in military bands before progressing to an orchestral and freelance career. He studied percussion in the USA with Karen Ervin, and the UK with Michael Skinner, James Blades, Michael Frye, and Nicholas Cole. His study in the UK was supported by awards from the Australia Council and the West Australian Arts Council.

He is largely self-taught as a composer, although he has studied with Leonard Salzedo in the UK. Most of his work has been commissioned, and much of it broadcast on radio and TV, as have been most of his arrangements, reflecting his experience of both commercial and symphonic music.

His music is noted for its rhythmic and dramatic flair, and his output particularly reflects his background in percussion, brass, and voice together with his orchestrational ability. Most of his music is written at the behest of performers, often those who are seeking to add to the repertoire for their instrument or group.

He has taught music at all educational levels and in formats from the experiential to the formal, has been an Artist in Residence at many schools, and a foundation Teaching Artist for the Victorian Arts Centre's Winterarts program. He is presently Lecturer in Critical Studies at the Victorian College of the Arts School of Music.

Other areas of work have included vocal study and performance, conducting, adjudicating, concert direction, and music journalism. 1994 & 1995 were spent in the UK and Europe, where he was involved in music typography, harmonic chant, and flamenco.

Compositions by Paul Sarcich appear on