Anne-marie Forbes

Biography

Asociate Professor Anne-Marie Forbes completed Masters degrees in both performance and musicology in the United States before returning to Australia and undertaking doctoral studies at the University of Queensland. Her PhD research focussed on manifestations of Celticism in British opera in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. In 1995 she was appointed as a lecturer in musicology at the University of Queensland, and in 2000 was appointed to the University of Tasmania Conservatorium. Her research has focussed on British and Australian composition, including works of Vaughan Williams, Holbrooke and Fritz Hart producing musical editions, journal articles, book chapters. She has published a book on Joseph Holbrooke with Dr Paul Watt (Monash) is currently writing a book with Prof Peter Tregear (Royal Holloway) on the cultural contribution of Fritz Hart. She has also performed as a contralto soloist in opera and oratorio in the United States and Australia and has a particular research and performing interest in choral music. She has conducted Anglican treble and adult choirs and is a regular cantor at All Saint's Anglican church, South Hobart. Drawing on extensive experience she has published on a range of sacred choral music including works of Venetian composer, Antonio Lotti, and aspects of performativity associated with solo vocal performance. Over the past few years she has developed a teaching and research interest in the benefits of creative arts and cultural participation for an ageing population. She has developed and taught innovative units such as The Arts and Dementia Care (FXA100) and Creativity and Ageing (FXA101) and is building this area as a priority for the Tasmanian College of the Arts.

Research Interest

Her research into liturgical music focuses on restoration of works to the performance repertory and the study of creativity in the context of the theology of music in religious practice. She has also collaborated with Associate Professor Heather Monkhouse on research into aspects of tertiary music education and has collaborated in the research area of 'Better Health' with team of neurologists from Brazil and is developing research in association with community-based music therapists and arts providers.