Corwin Newall

Corwin Newall is an emerging New Zealand composer.

Born in Dunedin, Newall has, since 2003, been receiving his secondary education at Kaikorai Valley College. A gifted musician, he plays piano at Grade 8 level, clarinet at Grade 7 level, and is a moderately ProFicient exponent of the saxophone, bass clarinet, bassoon, guitar and violin. In addition to receiving many accolades for his musicianship, he has a notable scholarly record, securing the premier academic awards for his school year level. He is of Māori ancestry with Ngāi Tahu tribal affiliation.

Musical development

Newall attributes his inspiration to begin composing to an appreciation that had developed over time and that his passion for the piano had played a major part. As a child, he did not have a piano at home. It was during a visit to his cousin’s house, at age 7, that he discovered the instrument and began playing by ear. After that chance encounter, he developed a love of the instrument and it was the start of frequent visits to his cousin’s house.

Unable to read music then, his time at the piano began with inventing his own tunes. This early experience developed improvisation skills which are useful, if not crucial, in composition.

Later, at the age of 10, Newall acquired his own piano, which he inherited from his grandmother.

Compositional milestones

In 2005 Newall won the senior section of the Dunedin Registered Music Teachers Centenary composition competition with The Dog and the Rabbit, an extended work for piano.

In 2006, at age 14, Newall was one of only ten composers to have their entries performed and recorded in the Todd Corporation-NZSO Young Composer Awards, a national competition for composers under 25. His four-minute work for full orchestra, Race Against Fire was subsequently broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert and publicly performed by the Southern Sinfonia. At the competition Newall was given the opportunity to work through his piece with the internationally renowned New Zealand composer, Lyell Creswell.

In 2007 Newall successfully entered the same awards with Caught in the Headlights. His work was again selected to be played and recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and has since received a public performance by the Dunedin Youth Orchestra.

In the same year he won the original composition section of the New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Competition with The Budgie for flute, clarinet and piano.

He also composed the original score for Kaikorai Valley College’s 2007 dramatic production, Copper, scripted by teacher Greg Cook.

Newall has also begun to write songs for his three-piece band, Rinoe DCD, which feature him both singing and playing the piano. He entered one of his songs, titled 'Remember??' in the 2007 Play It Strange Songwriting Competition and was placed between 21st and 42nd - places have not been revealed yet. His song will feature on the Play It Strange CD.