BIOGRAPHY

Mark Holdsworth [BMus, BA(Hons), MMus, MCouns] is an Australian composer and therapist based in Perth, Western Australia. His music delves into the complexities inherent in the human experience. Through his background as a mental health therapist, Holdsworth brings a unique perspective to his compositions, crafting a compelling narrative that evokes introspection and engages audiences in a dramatic exploration of human emotions and experiences. Each of the composer’s pieces stands as a testament to his commitment to unravelling the intricacies of our collective humanity through both music and therapeutic insight. His compositions invite audiences to forge a profound and meaningful connection with the human condition by creating a space for contemplation, compassion, and enriching a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

A growing collection of Holdsworth’s pieces also draws upon his Javanese heritage, integrating aspects of Indonesian and Western art music traditions. This union not only cultivates a captivating and distinctive musical voice but also serves as an introduction for audiences to explore the rich soundscapes of Indonesian traditional music.

Holdsworth's portfolio includes a substantial catalogue of orchestral works as well as repertoire for large ensemble, chamber ensemble, and solo instrument. He is regularly commissioned and performed by Australia's most feted ensembles, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Australian String Quartet, Omega Ensemble, and Arcadia Winds.

During his tenure as Cybec Young Composer in Residence with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (since 2018), Holdsworth received acclaimed premieres at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the Metropolis New Music Festival and an exclusive cultural event for the Sultan of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Crown Princess Mangkubumi, Indonesian royal delegates and the Australian government. His viola concerto, Songs for the Dead, commissioned by the MSO for violist Christopher Moore, will receive its world premiere during the 2024 MSO Regional Tour.

In 2022, Holdsworth was selected as one of five Australian composers for Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB Program. His quintet Calon Arang premiered at the iconic Sydney Opera House. He was also commissioned by the Australian National Academy of Music to compose a sonata for cellist Nadia Barrow, which debuted at the inaugural ANAM Set Festival in 2022. His piece Excelsior, part of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's '50 Fanfares' project, garnered accolades by Limelight Magazine following its world premiere in 2021.

Holdsworth is a graduate of the University of Western Australia's Conservatorium of Music, where he studied under James Ledger and Dr Christopher Tonkin. He holds a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours), and Master of Music. Holdsworth also holds a Master of Counselling degree from the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

Holdsworth has participated as a student and fellow at Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB: Composer Accelerator Program (2022), the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Cybec 21st Century Composers’ Program (2018), the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s Australian Composer’s School (2019-2018 and 2015), the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp (2017), the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Summer School (2016), the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Young and Emerging Artists: Composer Program (2014), and the Australian String Quartet’s National Composers Forum (2010). Holdsworth is the recipient of the inaugural Arcadia Winds Composition Prize (2018), the Australian Postgraduate Award (2017), the Rupert Thackray Prize for Music Education (2016), and the Dorothy Ellen Ransom Prize for Composition (2014).

Holdsworth is deeply engaged in advocating for music education. He has collaborated with institutions such as the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Songbook Project to nurture young Australian talent through educational resources and initiatives.

Last updated: November 2023