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Dr Ruth Lee Martin, BMus hons (UNE), PhD (ANU) T: +61 2 6125 5777 E: Ruth.Martin@anu.edu.au

Dr Ruth Lee Martin is Senior Lecturer at the School of Music, Australian National University. Ruth is active in many areas of music composition, performing and research in various combinations. She has been instrumental (along with Dr Stephen Wild) in developing the ANU's flourishing folk and traditional music stream. Her course 'Folk Music: Theory and Practice' run in conjunction with the National Folk Music Festival in Canberra is the first of its kind in Australia.

Ruth was awarded a PhD in 2001 at the Australian National University after studies in Musicology with Robyn Holmes and Composition with Australian composer Larry Sitsky. Ruth’s research is now focused on the music of early Scots-Gaelic migrants to Australia. She is also a performer of traditional Scots Gaelic music and a member of touring world-fusion band Eilean Mòr (big island) as well as currently undertaking studies in the Scots-Gaelic language.

Ruth’s compositional output is diverse consisting of works for piano, small and large ensembles, choir and orchestra. Being a Scottish migrant, Scottish music is a strong influence on her compositional style both consciously and unconsciously. She has been commissioned by some of contemporary music's foremost performers and her works have been performed and broadcast both in Australia and overseas. She has composed the music for documentaries including A House for a Nation on the House of Representatives. She has been composer-in-residence, undertaken numerous radio interviews, and written many published articles in journals and books on aspects of Australian contemporary music and traditional Gaelic music.

She also composes in the folk tradition and her original songs form part of the repertoire of folk group Eilean Mòr. Her songs include Edinburgh Hogmanay, Clearance of the Hill, Red Air, The Inbetween and Lullaby for Baby George. Eilean Mòr consists of Ruth Vocals and Percussion, Catherine Fraser Fiddle, Bill Grose Guitar, Bill Williams Double-bass, Ed Rodrigues Drums (website: www.eileanmor.net). Eilean Mòr have undertaken numerous performances nationally and internationally to critical acclaim. In 2007 they toured Tasmania, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the UK. Ruth also gave a lecture-recital at the National Library of Scotland in July 2007 on Australian Gaelic songs from the mid 1800s. Plans are underway for another tour to the UK in 2009.

Eilean Mòr released their first CD in 2006 35 Degrees South produced with the assistance of the Australia Council. It has been very well-received. Plans are underway for another to be released in 2008.