Examiner 1178

BMus, ASCM

Philip Moran is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he majored in guitar performance with Gregory Pikler. After earning his bachelor of music with merit and being named Student of the Year, he furthered his guitar studies in England and Spain with Timothy Walker, Gordon Crosskey and Carlos Bonnell.

Mr Moran undertook masterclasses with John Williams at the Victorian College of the Arts. In 1983, he won first prize in the inaugural Australian Guitar Competition. Highlights of his performing career include a solo recital at the Sydney Opera House, guest concerto appearances with orchestras including the Sydney Youth Orchestra under maestro Tommy Tycho, and a sell-out solo recital for the Hunters Hill Music Club with guest artist Jane Rutter. He has worked with violinist Martin Lass, tenor Ronald Stevens, the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and the Bennelong Players, as well as serving as a church music director.

Mr Moran’s two solo CDs, Spanish Inspiration (2003) and Hasta Mañana (2009), were well received and regularly programmed on ABC Classic FM. His rendition of La Paloma was featured on Macca’s Australia All Over, a national ABC Radio program, and was voted one of the Top Ten favourite pieces of 2010.

In addition to teaching at his guitar studio in north-west Sydney, Mr Moran lectures in aural, harmony and music history at the Wesley Institute. He also plays electric guitar professionally for a number of show bands.