Mary Mageau

Mary Jane Mageau (4 September 1934 – 9 January 2020) was an American-born writer, harpsichordist and composer who had lived and worked in Australia graduating with a Master of Music degree. In 1974 she accepted an Australian guest lectureship and there married architect Kenneth White, becoming an Australian citizen and resident of Queensland. She was particularly prominent in lobbying for opportunities for women composers. Sitsky described her later works as more elegant and refined.

Mageau died in Queensland at the age of 85.

Honors and awards Silver Medal, Louis Moreau Gottschalk International Composer's Competition Alienor Harpsichord Concerto Competition for Composers, 1994 ASCAP Standard Award, granted annually since 1981 Commendation, Vienna Modern Masters First Recording Awards, 1990

Works Selected works include: Triple Concerto for piano trio and orchestra Better Way for treble choir with piano Ragtime Remembered for quintet (2001) She Is a Cat for soprano and piano (2000) Ragtime Remembered for solo piano (2000) Contrasts in Continuum for unaccompanied viola (1968) Statement and Variations for viola solo (1979) Calls from the Heartland for violin with piano (1995) Preludes for Patricia, 4 Short Pieces for 2 violas or solo viola with prerecorded tape (1996) Moonlight Reflected on Water for unaccompanied piano (1984)

Her music has been recorded and issued on CD, including the Vienna Modern Masters Music From Six Continents CD Series.

Mageau is the author of two spiritual books; Insights : for an awakening humanity and A little book of living spiritually, published by Boolarong Press and poetry published in the United States by Red Moon Press, the MET Press, and in Australian and Canadian literary magazines.