About Composer Margot Dean

Former Section Principal Bassoon with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and former soloist with orchestras in Australia and Europe, Margot has turned her skills to composing music with kindness and care for humanity.

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Borne from a deep knowledge of and talent in music, composer Margot Dean's writing is described by international magazine, Das Orchester, as “able to literally enchant and captivate," bearing "witness to a profound knowledge of playing technique.”

Margot's early career began as Section Principal Bassoon with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO), where she received glowing reviews for Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and was described as “outstanding among her ASO peers in her creative and inspirational approach to her solo spots” (The Advertiser).

Her performance of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto was feted as “rich in…a virtuosity that made this the evening’s outstanding performance” (The Advertiser), while Die Woche praised “her brilliance in the Mostly Mozart concert.”

Margot was singled out by Hazel Hawke AO for ‘technique, mature musicianship and obvious dedication to music of a very high order” in her prize-winning performance at the ABC Young Performers Awards 1994, broadcast on national television.

As an elite musician, Margot's purpose was always to create a moving experience for listeners that lifted them to a new place and enhanced their lives.

When she was sadly hit by the twin tragedies of the neurological disorder, dystonia, and later, metastatic cancer, Margot found herself no longer able to perform.

Instead, she chose to channel her skills and life experience into writing music of the highest order.

Margot's inspiration comes from situations where seemingly impossible odds are overcome and she seeks to lift humanity in this way through the energy and emotion of her compositions. She draws on the power of the human spirit seen in films like The Hunger Games, where the crowd raises their hands in support of their heroine Katniss, or in Dead Poet’s Society, where the students jump on to their desks in a final bid to save their teacher.

This radiant energy is reflected in her works such as Soul Food for Solo Bassoon, as it traverses the highs and lows of Margot's own soul journey; Blue Whale Heart Song for Choir, an unforgettable encounter with a majestic blue whale; In the Heavenly Hour for Choir, a plea for climate action and the drawing together of humanity; and the crossover folk/pop song, In Search of Diamonds, a tender tribute to a lifelong soulmate. 

Margot warmly invites you to be transformed by her music as you browse her offerings on this site, discover new pieces to perform, and settle in for a mindful, moving experience.