The Australian Institute of Music is proud to announce that Dr Daniel Blinkhorn has been made one of the Winston Churchill Fellows for 2011.
Dr Blinkhorn, who has been a teacher within the Composition and Music Production department at AIM for more than 13 years, is honoured to have been awarded such a prestigious fellowship.
Since its inception in 1965, The Churchill Trust has awarded Churchill Fellowships to over 3,500 Australians. The Churchill Trust was established to honour the memory of Sir Winston Churchill by awarding overseas research fellowships to some of Australia’s best and brightest. The prestigious Churchill Fellowships award Australians who are innovative, determined and who possess a strong desire to benefit their community.
The aim of the Churchill Trust is to provide an opportunity for Australians to travel overseas to conduct research in their chosen field. It also aims to reward proven achievement of talented and deserving Australians with further opportunity in their pursuit of excellence for the enrichment of Australian society.
Churchill Fellowships allow you to design your own research project, travel the world and further your knowledge in your chosen field, before returning to make a real contribution to Australian society. “As part of my Churchill Fellowship, I will be embarking on a three week artist/scientist led expedition sailing through the Arctic Circle on a traditionally rigged sailing ship,” says Daniel. “I will be an artist-in-residence researching techniques in recording and composing with environmental sound. I will also be undertaking research intensives with internationally renowned composers at a number of music institutions throughout North America (the US and Canada).”
With a Churchill Fellowship, everyone benefits - the individual because their determination, drive and dedication is recognised; their organisation because one of their members is recognised for excellence; and the community because the Churchill Fellow will return with skills and knowledge not readily attainable here.
As an educator, Daniel has worked in a variety of academic, research and teaching contexts. And while his creative works as an artist typically gravitate around the electroacoustic, audiovisual and acousmatic domains, his repertoire also includes chamber, symphonic and wind orchestra works, music for film, dance and various hybrid/intermedia environments, sound installations and radiophonics.
In 2010, Daniel was the artist/composer-in-residence for Radio National (ABC) as well as the composer-in-residence for Visby International Centre for Composers (Sweden).He also undertook extensive field recordings through the West Indies as part of EcoSono.
“My work has been increasingly performed, exhibited, presented and broadcast internationally at festivals, concert halls, conferences and galleries,” says Daniel. He has also received numerous citations at prestigious international composition competitions, with recent awards including 1st prize ‘Luc Ferrari’ – 8th International Composition Competition LA MUSE EN CIRCUIT, Centre National de Creation Musicale, France; and 1st prize ‘9th International Electroacoustic Composition Competition Musica Viva’, Portugal.
Daniel has undertaken studies at numerous universities including COFA (University of NSW) and FCA (University of Wollongong), where his Doctoral Degree in Composition was recommended for special commendation. Daniel is also a member of various new music initiatives and is a represented composer at the Australian Music Centre.
With so many achievements already, it’s an exciting time for Daniel, and AIM, as he continues his musical journey through the Churchill Fellowships. AIM is honoured to have one of its teachers take part in the Churchill Fellowships and wishes Daniel all the best on his expedition.
For more information on Daniel, as well as examples of his work, visit www.bookofsand.com.au
And for more information on the prestigious Churchill Fellowship visit www.churchilltrust.com.au
Article by Natalie Raad
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