NZSO TODD Corporation Young Composers Award

Nurturing talent - NZSO TODD Corporation Young Composers Award

Some of New Zealand’s top young composers will gather in the capital for the NZSO TODD Corporation Young Composers Award workshops this December.

Nine students from Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington will head to the capital on Tuesday 2 December 2014 for the annual event which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The award provides a unique opportunity for young composers to be mentored by, and work with, esteemed New Zealand composers and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The highlight for each participant is to have their composition workshopped, rehearsed, and performed by New Zealand’s national orchestra and recorded by Radio New Zealand Concert.

Over the course of three days, the participants are mentored by an established composer and attend workshops with NZSO musicians before the workshop and recording sessions.

This year, participants will be mentored by New Zealand composer Victoria Kelly. Victoria is one of New Zealand’s leading composers, writing and producing music for film, television and theatre, as well as contemporary classical music.

The workshops with NZSO musicians will include opportunities to discuss instrument specific composition techniques on the full range of orchestral instruments including specialised instruments such as harp and percussion.

One composer will be awarded a cash prize of $750 and named the NZSO TODD Corporation Young Composer of the Year.

The award is open to young composers up to the age of 25. Entries this year were assessed and will be judged by a panel of established New Zealand musicians, including well-known Kiwi conductor Tecwyn Evans, composer and mentor Victoria Kelly, and NZSO Section Principal Percussion Lenny Sakofsky.

This year, there were 27 applicants from around New Zealand. Nine were selected to take part in this year’s programme. Please see full list of successful applicants below.

Andrew Atkins - Aro Valley, Wellington
Callum Blackmore - Remuera, Auckland
David Taylor - Bucklands Beach, Auckland
Glen Downie - Te Aro, Wellington
Jason Post - Aro Valley, Wellington
Salina Fisher - Te Aro, Wellington*
Sam van Betuw - Mornington, Dunedin
Stephen Clothier - Kelburn, Wellington
Tabea Squire - Newlands, Wellington

*Salina Fisher is also the 2015 NZSO National Youth Orchestra Composer in Residence and was the 2014 NZSO National Youth Orchestra Associate Concertmaster.

This unique opportunity is generously funded by the TODD Corporation. The NZSO TODD Corporation Young Composers Award programme has assisted many developing composers to further their careers.

ENDS

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