About Margery Smith
Australian Composer, Music Composition Teacher, Saxophone and Clarinet TeacherJoseph Campbell
Music services I offer…
I am an Australian composer. I enjoy writing in a variety of styles and for various instruments, but particularly woodwind solos and ensembles.
Clarinet & saxophone tuition from beginner to tertiary levels and beyond
Composition mentoring for Higher School Certificate Music 1 & 2 and Extension Music
Creative music making (Composition and Improvisation)
Currently I am…
Composer in Residence International Grammar School, Ultimo, Sydney NSW
Teaching Clarinet and Saxophone at my home studio in Geelong, Victoria
The heart of my teaching…
To foster individual creativity – creativity is the core of my teaching practice.
My philosophy as a music teacher is to explore and facilitate the musical potential that exists in all people. I work as a mentor with my students, developing creative solutions to musical problems.
My teaching strengths…
Inspiring curiosity and love for all things music
Developing your musical understanding, that ‘aha’ moment!
Developing efficient practice techniques
Creating your own great sound

Qualifications
- PhD (2006), The University of Newcastle.
- Certificate in Performance and Communication Skills (1997), Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, England.
- Diploma in Music Education (1978), Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Past teaching experience
- The Australian Institute of Music – Head of Classical Performance
- The University of Newcastle – Senior Lecturer
- Sydney Conservatorium of Music – Lecturer in Clarinet & Saxophone
- Moriah College – Clarinet tuition
- Barker College – Clarinet tuition
- Workshops in improvisation and creative music making in the UK, Canada and Australia
Other periods of study include
- Leon Russianoff (Clarinet) New York (1984)
- Henri Bok (Saxophone and Bass Clarinet) Tom de Vette (Saxophone), Holland (1991)
- Eugene Rousseau, (Saxophone) Bloomington, Indiana, USA (1991)
Performance experience includes
- Principal Clarinet-Orchestra Victoria
- Associate Principal Clarinet – The Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra
- Associate Principal Clarinet – Sydney Symphony
- Chamber music, including Continuum Sax, The Seymour Group, Sonic Art Ensemble

As part of the coursework at the GSMD I was mentored in leading creative music workshops with the local schools in the Tower Hamlets community in London’s East End. The skills I gained enabled me to work with people from any background regardless of level of formal musical skill. In this fertile environment, my skills of composition, spontaneous decision making, improvisation and performance all come together to bring a musical work to life of the time and space.
Since completing my sabbatical at the GSMD I’ve given creative music workshops in Australia, Canada and Italy as well as developing coursework programs in creative practice at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Newcastle and the Australian Institute of Music. I see the act of tapping into individual creativity as a radical act in today’s society.
What is a creative music workshop? Read more here.