The Australian Women's Register

Miriam Beatrice Hyde undertook initial studies with her mother before winning a scholarship to the Elder Conservatorium at the age of twelve, where she studied under William Silver. She gradated with a Mus. Bac. In 1931 and won the Elder Scholarship to the Royal College of Music., London. During her three years at the College, Miriam won three composition prizes and was soloist in two piano concerti with major London orchestras, including the BBC.

Miriam returned to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1931 and here she wrote orchestral music for South Australia’s Centenary pageant, Heritage, produced in the Tivoli Theatre.

In order to seek greater opportunities, Miriam moved to Sydney and taught for several years at Kambala School. During this time, she remained active as a composer, recitalist, teacher, examiner, lecturer and writer. For a period during the Second World War, whilst her husband was a prisoner of war (POW), she returned to Adelaide and taught piano and musical perception and the Elder Conservatorium.

Miriam was Patron of the Music Teachers’ Associations of New South Wales and South Australia, in addition to the Blue Mountains Eisteddfod and the Australian Musicians Academy. She was also Honorary Life Member of the Fellowship of Australian Composers, the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association, and the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra.

In 1981 Miriam was awarded an OBE and in 1991 an AO. She also received the International Woman of the Year Award (1991-92) and an Honorary Doctorate by Macquarie University. In 2002 Miriam accepted the Award for Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music at the APRA/Australian Music Centre Classical Awards and in 2004 she received a further APRA/Australian Music Centre Award.