Classical Music Awards

Classical Music Awards presented by APRA and the Australian Music Centre

The annual Classical Music Awards are the only awards dedicated to recognising achievements in the new music scene in Australia.

Submit your nomination for the 2008 Classical Music Awards

View Classical Music Award rules

Nominations for 2008 are now closed

See also: a full list of 2008 finalists on resonate

About the Awards

Eleven national Awards are presented in categories covering composition, performance, music education and regional music. The awards also recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations. Any financial member of the Australian Music Centre and/or APRA is eligible to make a nomination.

Recent Awards

2007 Classical Music Awards
Inspirational artistic director and one of Australia's best-known percussionists, Ian Cleworth was acknowledged for his lifetime of distinguished achievement and commitment to Australian music at this year's 2007 Classical music Awards...

Awards History

Originally called 'The Sounds Australian Awards', the Awards were first held in 1988 and were established in order to honour and celebrate dedicated supporters of Australian music. Initially, awards were given by composers to organisations, individuals, radio and television stations who had presented their music...

National Awards

Seven national Australian Music Centre Awards are open for nominations from members of the Australian Music Centre and APRA:

Best Composition by an Australian Composer

Previous winners include Lawrence Whiffin for murchitt: a daydream, Elena Kats-Chernin for Cadences, Deviations and Scarlatti, Brett Dean for Beggars and Angels and Gordon Kerry for Vigil.

Best Performance of an Australian Composition

Previous winners include the Goldner String Quartet for their performance of Carl Vine’s String Quartet No.3 and Ten-Part Invention for their performance of Roger Frampton’s Separate Reality and Australian Virtuosi for their performance of Nigel Westlake’s Oscillations.

Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation

Previous winners include Marina Marsden for the CD recording of music of Margaret Sutherland, the Sydney Opera House Trust for the opening season of The Studio, Tall Poppies and The Listening Room (ABC Classic FM).

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

Previous winners include John McCaughey, Musical Director of the Astra Chamber Music Society and Marshall McGuire and Richard Gill.

Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in Education

Previous winners include Philippa Paige for editing Australian Violin Music: Concert Pieces, published by Currency press; the Australian Youth Orchestra for their ‘New Music Now - Interrogating the Instrument’ program , MLC School, Burwood and the NSW Board of Studies.

Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area

This award was made for the first time in 2002 and was won by the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music.

Long-term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music

Previous winners include composer Robert Hughes, Synergy Percussion Ensemble, Emeritus Professor Peter Platt and Kenneth Tribe.

State/Territory Awards

For each State or Territory, one Australian Music Centre Award will be given from one of the following six categories:

Best Composition by a Composer of that State or Territory
Best Performance of an Australian Composition in that State or Territory
Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation in that State or Territory
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual in that State or Territory
Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in Education in that State or Territory
Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area in that State or Territory

international representation and promotion for Australian composers