NOMINATION: Luminary - State and Territory
The Luminary Awards seek to honour individuals and organisations who, through sustained contribution (demonstrated over a period 3-5 years prior), have impacted their communities on a state or territory level through visionary leadership, fearless trailblazing, high-level artistic practice, and championing of Australian repertoire.
Nominations for individuals should demonstrate a program of activities or a range of projects rather than (for example) the recording and release of a single album. Nominations for a single work or project should be made in the Work of the Year or Excellence categories.
If you believe you are nominated in the wrong category or the details of your nomination to be incorrect, please contact the AMC via email at awards@australianmusiccentre.com.au before proceeding with the nomination.
Art Music Award guidelines →
Nominee
Debra Shearer-Dirie
Nominated Project/Activity
For Sustained Contribution to Australian Choral Music Performance
State/Territory
Queensland
Nominator Statement
Dr Debra Shearer- Dirie is one of Australias leading choral conductors and pedagogues. Since her move to Queensland in 2003, Debra has worked hard to promote and build choirs and importantly has included Australian music as an integral part of her concert programs. She has worked with numerous choirs in Queensland but in recent years she has held the positions of Music Director for the vocal ensemble Fusion and for Choirworks formerly known as the Brisbane Concert Choir. Her innovative programming and choral practice have influenced a number of Australian composers that include Joseph Twist as well as having performed works by Gerardo Dirié, Paul Stanhope, Annie Kwok, and Paul Bonetti, amongst others. Debra has focused continuously, since her return to from her Doctoral studies in the USA, on offering the musicians that work with her, and their audiences, music that is not heard this region. Her themed concerts have brought collaborations with musicians and artists from diverse cultural groups, academics, scientists, as well as food and wine experts.
Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié enjoys the adventure and global embrace of a career dedicated to music. She thrives on the creative discovery that flows from collaborative musical opportunities, whether working with combinations of choirs or with other composers, dancers and visual artists. Debras performances are meticulously prepared and the sound worlds she creates are unique and give a brilliant clarity to the Australian compositions in her programs.
In addition to her roles as music director, educator and choral conductor, Debra has worked tirelessly for the Australian National Choral Association in a variety of roles but all the while advocating for the performance and study of Australian music.
Debra has recently been elected to serve on the Editorial Board for the International Choral Magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music. She serves on the Queensland Chapter committee for ANCA and is in demand as an adjudicator for choral festivals and eisteddfods within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a clinician and conductor for choral festivals across the nation.
Debra has always demonstrated her commitment to the performance and study of Australian music and her programming has influenced numerous musicians and composers through her practice. I am honoured to nominate Dr Debra Shearer-Dirie for a State Luminary Award- Queensland.
Nominee
Debra Shearer-Dirie
Nominated Project/Activity
For Sustained Contribution to Australian Choral Music Performance
State/Territory
Queensland
Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié enjoys the adventure and global embrace of a career dedicated to music. She thrives on the creative discovery that flows from collaborative musical opportunities, whether working with combinations of choirs or with other composers, dancers and visual artists. Debras performances are meticulously prepared and the sound worlds she creates are unique and give a brilliant clarity to the Australian compositions in her programs.
In addition to her roles as music director, educator and choral conductor, Debra has worked tirelessly for the Australian National Choral Association in a variety of roles but all the while advocating for the performance and study of Australian music.
Debra has recently been elected to serve on the Editorial Board for the International Choral Magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music. She serves on the Queensland Chapter committee for ANCA and is in demand as an adjudicator for choral festivals and eisteddfods within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a clinician and conductor for choral festivals across the nation.
Debra has always demonstrated her commitment to the performance and study of Australian music and her programming has influenced numerous musicians and composers through her practice. I am honoured to nominate Dr Debra Shearer-Dirie for a State Luminary Award- Queensland.