Winning Composers, Performers and Organisations from the 2005 Classical Music Awards

Distinguished Services to Australian Music
Anne Boyd

Anne received this award for her contribution to the artform that spans several decades. Boyd is one of this country's foremost composers and music educators. In addition, she has previously been awarded an AM in the Order of Australia for her service to music as a composer and educator, and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of York.

Best Composition by an Australian Composer
Brett Dean for Moments of Bliss.

This composition was commissioned by Symphony Australia as part of a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Composer Residency, and premiered by the MSO in 2004. The composer comments that the work "signifies a first station on the long journey of writing my first full length opera based on Bliss, Peter Carey's first novel".

Award for Best Performance of an Australian Composition
Steven Isserlis and the Sydney Symphony for Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by Carl Vine.

This performance was held at the Sydney Opera House in 2004 to great acclaim.

Vocal/Choral Work of the Year
Tales of the Supernatural: folk songs for singer and string quartet by Andrew Ford.

Instrumental Work of the Year
Six Fish by Nigel Westlake.

Orchestral Work of the Year
Concerto for Guitar and Strings by Ross Edwards.

Award for Long-term Contribution to the advancement of Australian Music
Musica Viva Australia.

Musica Viva has commissioned approximately 95 new works across its 60 year history as the world's largest entrepreneur of chamber music. The organisation has also hosted 5 composers-in-residence, and since the 2002 season has appointed a featured composer each year.

Most Distinguished Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music in a Regional Area
Border Music Camp, for their 2004 activities.

The Border Music Camp’s composer-in-residence program has seen 6 Australian composers present 52 pieces, including 28 world premieres written specifically for the camp. Paul Witney was the 2004 composer-in-residence.

Most Distinguished Contribution to the Presentation of Australian Music by an Organisation
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for their Australian Music Program 2004.

In addition to the inclusion of many Australian works in their concert series for 2004, the TSO released numerous recordings of works by Australian composers.

Most Distinguished Contribution to the Presentation of Australian Music by an Individual
Vincent Plush for the 'Voices' program in the 2004 Brisbane Writers Festival.

Vincent curated the collaboration between writers, composers and musicians, and through his initiatives played a very large role in making such a success of the program.

Most Distinguished Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music in Education
West Australian Symphony Orchestra Education Chamber Orchestra (WASO EChO) for "The Dischord Hunter" which was part of their education series.

This semi-theatrical work was the major commission of Iain Grandage’s residency with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Written for year 4 to 7 students, it explores the development of harmony throughout western music in an engaging and stimulating way.

Australian Capital Territory Award
The eminent guitarist, Tim Kain for his continuous commissioning of new works for the guitar as well as his outstanding guitar program at the School of Music, ANU.

The Panel was unanimous in recognising the outstanding calibre of Tim Kain’s contribution throughout his extensive career, especially noting his: Advancement of Australian music by developing the whole cycle of commissioning, performing, recording, instrument building and educating through Australian repertoire.

New South Wales State Award
The conductor, commentator, mentor, advocate, and artistic director of The Song Company, Roland Peelman for his superb contribution extending beyond his work with Australia's leading vocal ensemble.

The panel was impressed by the sustained commitment of Roland Peelman in continuing excellence not only in performance, but in his role as conductor, passionate advocate of new music, initiator of collaborative projects, his leadership of the ModArt Series, and his wide and varied role as a vital presence in the musical life of NSW, especially through his outstanding work with the excellent vocal group, The Song Company.

Queensland State Award
The 2004 Keys National Piano and Vocal Competition for inspiring the next generation of musicians, and in featuring only Australian repertoire, exposing them to the rich diversity that exists.

According to the Queensland panel, the number of young people involved in this Competition, from many different parts of Queensland, is an indication of the scope and impact of the competition on the musical life of young Queensland musicians. The active involvement of a number of prominent Australian composers and musicians in various roles in the Competition (adjudicators, workshop leaders, prize givers etc) is a testament to the respect and high standing with which this competition is regarded in the wider Australian musical community.

South Australian State Award
The Elder School of Music for the Beethoven Songline Series, a series juxtaposing Australian works with Beethoven Quartets that saw audiences experience new and unfamiliar works by prominent Australian composers.

The panel felt that this concert series was far-reaching, inspiring and worthy of the SA State Award. The concerts were part of the 2004 Adelaide Festival and formed a strong musical focus of the Festival. They were broadcast live to a national audience through ABC Classic FM, including the associated series of enlightening pre-concert interviews and talks with composers and performers.

Victorian State Award
The composer, performer, improviser, and educator, Tony Gould for his dedication to Australian music education, and for his outstanding efforts at the VCA, School of Music.

The panel believe that this man’s dedication to Australian music - living ‘in’ Australia, not just ‘on’ it, as he puts it - has occurred over a lifetime, and encompasses an astonishing breadth of activities. His inspiration, vision and guidance have had an immeasurable effect on the vast number of individuals he has encountered during his four decades of contribution, and on the overall development of not only Australian music education, but of Australian music in general.

Western Australian State Award
Iain Grandage for his composition Sleep. This work was the result of a two-year residency with the West Australian Symphony orchestra and its premiere was received very enthusiastically by two 'sold out' audiences.

The Western Australian panel commented that Sleep, written for mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, displays Grandage’s innate and sensitive understanding of the voice and its potential, with beautifully constructed vocal lines allowing Kenneth Slessor’s text, to which it is set, to be heard to its full advantage. Additionally, they claimed that Grandage’s handling of orchestral tone and colour is striking and assured, and the work’s form is confidently and satisfyingly unfolded.

Tasmanian State Award
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for their Australian Music Program 2004. Australian music was presented in all of their concert series and programs.

The Panel agreed that this nomination was notable for its breadth, quality and the integration of the project into their total program. The elements of the program exemplify these claims: the performance of 3 commissioned works, the participation in the ACOF, the commencement of the composer attachment (Ian Munro), the release of five (5) discs in the TSO Composer Series, recording projects for music of Brenton Broadstock, and Elena Kats-Chernin composer/audience interactive presentations.