DEREK ROWE MUSIC
IT ALL BEGINS WITH AN INKLING
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IT ALL BEGINS WITH AN INKLING ✦
Derek Rowe - Musical Theatre Writer
Writer/Producer/Musical Director
I was raised in a family of musicians and entertainers, so that’s probably why I was just 9 when I wrote my first song. Hundreds, if not thousands of songs later, I find myself carrying on the family tradition of mixing music with at least one extra ingredient - e.g. character, story, comedy. Just being a singer songwriter or being in a band was never on the cards - or in the gene pool! Even when I work as a studio musician and producer, it’s for stand-ups and performers, Sammy J and Randy being the most prominant (and lovely).
My focus is on writing shows that explore relevant themes via textured, truthful, human stories.
Some shows have been produced, some await that opportunity.
Some have been commissions, some have just come to mind and I’ve decided to see where they go.
Some are big shows, some are tiny.
Hopefully they all have something to say that speaks to something you’d like to hear.
BIO
LARGE BROADWAY-STYLE SHOWS
Call of the Jungle – 12 Principles and ensemble (Music & Lyrics) – Commissioned by Producer Malcolm Cooke. Currently in post-workshop, pre-production.
Bright Legacy – 8 principles and ensemble (Book Music & Lyrics) First draft completed.
OFF-BROADWAY STYLE SHOWS
Audition – 2 acts, 4 performers (Book, Music & Lyrics) – Commissioned by producer Malcolm Cooke. Recently workshopped by The Marriner Group.
I Hear You – 1 act, 2 performers (Book, Music & Lyrics)
Sexercise – 2 acts, 6 performers (Book, Music & Lyrics) – Professionally commissioned and produced in 2015.
Launceston the musical – Commissioned and produced as part of the 2021 Australian Music Theatre Festival
Tyrannosurus Sex (Puppetvision) - Songwriter/Music Producer/Voice artist - 2007
TV SOUNDTRACK WRITING/PRODUCTION/MUSICAL DIRECTION
Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane (ABC TV) - Soundtrack and song recording (2015)
Tadpole (Polyglot Theatre Co) – Soundtrack design and song composition (2005)
Australian Puppet Festival (2009) - Musical Director/Writer for adult and children’s main stage productions
ONE-OFF SONG WRITING/PRODUCTION FOR TV/STAGE
Good News Week (Channel 10) – Sammy J & Randy (2016)
Numerous Sammy J TV spots (ABC TV) – (2019 – 2022)
Australian Lockdown Comedy Festival (STAN) – Randy Feltface – soundtrack music 2020
Chopper – Various recordings and songs for comedian Heath Franklin
Soundtrack recording/music director - Various stage shows for Sammy j and Randy – together and solo,
inc the Barry award winning ‘Bin Night’
Numerous backing tracks for the Aria nominated Sammy J & Randy (2011-ongoing)
RADIO JINGLE WRITING/PRODUCTION
ABC Radio – Sammy J Breakfast – Current
Oxfam – Various jingles and long-form song-writing, in association with Sammy J
LIBRETTO GHOST-WRITING FOR MUSIC THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Sing (2016)– Libretto/Story re-write
French Toast (2019) – Libretto re-write
LvanB (Current) – Dramaturgue & composer
MUSIC THEATRE TEACHER
(2018) The Space, Prahran. Writer in residence, creating a new musical with students
Various one-off workshops, masterclasses, etc on how to write a musical
SHOWS
Click on a poster below to learn more about the show, its staging and listen to a song or two!
PRAISE
“Derek Rowe is the best kind of artist - brave and audacious, who lives in a bold world of pure creativity, resulting in a most unique voice in the music theatre landscape. He’s also a great guy who is a blast to collaborate with! ”
“Derek Rowe’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious - he’s the musician you want in your corner.”
“Having worked with Derek Rowe on multiple projects for over 15 years I can confidently say that no one is more efficient, good humoured, talented and professional when it comes to arranging, performing and producing music for the stage and screen.”
“To Producers everywhere - working with Derek Rowe is a Producers Dream. Not only does he compose superb and emotional melodies, write outstanding lyrics and has developed into an excellent script writer but he also works quickly and can produce a new song, if tequired, almost overnight and it is always better than the one discarded. His ego is in getting it RIGHT. A Producers dream as he is also a great team player, a funny guy, exteremly dedicated to his craft and the project he is working on but is also an all round nice man.”
“Throughout our forty years of friendship and collaboration, Derek’s remarkable ability to transform my words musically has formed the backbone of key productions and characters in my puppetry work.”