Clive James (Jim) Cotter (born 1948 in Geelong, Australia) is an Australian composer currently based in Canberra, Australia. His career has largely been in music for theater, film, and radio. Cotter began his career as Music Director and resident composer for the Canberra Repertory Theatre and has collaborated extensively with Australian playwright Dorothy Hewett,[1] most notably writing the music for the musical theater piece The Man From Mukinupin.[2] Cotter also wrote the music for Merlinda Bobis' radio play "Rita's Lullaby", which won the Prix Italia in 1998.[3]
Cotter studied with Larry Sitsky and Don Banks at the Australian National University School of Music during the 1970s.[4] Since 1992 he has been a faculty staff member of the ANU School of Music and is currently the Head of Composition.[5]. His students have included Marian Budos [6], Michael Sollis [7], Kate Moore [8], and Tim Hansen [9].