Vale: Martin Armiger

Composer Martin Amiger, who became Head of Screen Music at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, has died aged 70.

He died suddenly according to reports.

For 14 years, he lobbied to make sure music was a key discipline taught at AFTRS, teaching and inspiring countless students. In 2017, he was honoured with the inaugural APRA / AGSC Distinguished Service to the Australian Screen Award.

Nell Greenwood, AFTRS Director of Curriculum and Student Registrar said: “It is hard to put into the words the extraordinary contribution that Martin made to the school and to the industry. His skill and generosity shaped the careers of so many students. His incredible intelligence, his musical genius, his kindness, his wit and his daring, disrupting mind influenced so many of us and will be so missed”.

Martin was a record producer, multi-talented musician, performer and music composer. He wrote music for film, television, radio and the stage and composed the on-air theme music for ABC News.

He kicked off his music career as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for legendary Melbourne based rock band The Sports and, in 1972, he started his screen profession composing music for a short film called Drac. From 1984, Amiger was musical director for ABC ‘s Sweet and Sour, a 20-episode, weekly pop drama. He provided backing vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and lyrics and produced the soundtrack album.

Amiger’s credits include Thank God He Met Lizzie, Young Einstein, The Secret Life of Us, Come In Spinner, Bodysurfers, Police Rescue, and the documentary Cane Toads. He was also president of the AGSC for seven years.

AFTRS staff and students send their condolences to Martin’s family and his many friends.