Katharine Parker

Who was Katharine Parker?

Katharine Parker was an Australian composer, perhaps best known for her piano piece "Down Longford Way".

Parker was born Catherine Parker at Lake River near Longford, Tasmania. From 1904 to 1906 she studied for a diploma in Music in Melbourne. At the inaugural Australian Exhibition of Women's Work she won the Piano Solo Gold Medal. She travelled to London to study with Percy Grainger, who had very high praise for her work and kept in touch with her for many years.

Her work consists mainly of songs for voice and piano and solo piano works. At least one of the latter was published under the name "Kitty Parker".

She died in Sydney on her 85th birthday, 28 March 1971.

She has been championed by her compatriot the pianist Ian Munro, who has recorded some of her works and plays them in recital and has also written a biography of her.