Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Entries to the Art Music Awards are carefully considered and assessed by an expert pool of judges. Each year, hundreds of nominations are narrowed to four finalists and one winner for eleven categories, and nine Luminary awards.

The AMC and APRA AMCOS give our special thanks to the following people for sharing their time and expertise to judge the nominations for this year's Awards:

Cara Anderson, Catherine Applegate, Leah Blankendaal, Sheena Boughen, Maureen Cooney, Jessica Cottis, Susan Eldridge, Jenny Going, Erik Griswold, Reg Harris, Miranda Hill, Emma Jayakumar, Ellen Kirkwood, Eve Klein, Kate Lidbetter, Alan Lourens, Janet McKay, Sandra Milliken, Kathleen Nelson, Jessica Nicholas, Jonathan Paget, Ian Parsons, Han Reardon-Smith, Sophie Rose, James Rushford, Elizabeth Scott, David Shaw, Gian Slater, Luke Spicer, Laura Tipoki, Emily Tulloch, Ian Whitney, Becki Whitton, Chris Williams, Natalie Williams, Flora Wong, Miriama Young and Kiriaki Zakinthinos.

A special thank you goes to Lyle Chan, Louise Denson and Cameron Lam for chairing the Awards panels.

Herewith, we share the judges' commentary across all categories, in recognition of the artistic merit across all nominations, and in encouragement of nominations to future Awards.

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Work of the Year: Electroacoustic/Sound Art

Winner

Title: Breathing Space
Composer: Genevieve Lacey
Performer: Dr Lou Bennett AM, Mindy Meng Wang, Vahideh Eisaei, Amadou Suso, Sunny Kim, The Consort of Melbourne, Linda Kent, Marshall McGuire, Phil Slater, Speak Percussion, Erkki Veltheim, Simon Martyn-Ellis, with spoken voices and feld recordings

"The panel agreed that this large-scale public work represents the culmination of decades of experience and thoughtful, respectful, careful curation. It is conceptually strong and reflects profoundly on Australian identity and sense of place. Contributions from numerous and diverse collaborators have been woven into a shared story and a sense of common purpose, expressed in joyful interaction between the venue and the music. It has a broad reach both in terms of the artists involved in its creation and its potential audience."

Finalists

Title: Gradient
Composer: Olivia Davies and Callum G'Froerer
Performer: Olivia Davies, Callum G'Froerer and Nick Roux

"The panel described this as a striking work which demonstrated a skilful integration of visual projections and sound. It was well thought out and well executed, ambitious and immersive.

The temporal aspect of the work was deemed to be exploring new ground. The panel especially commended the sophisticated, accomplished technique of both musicians, in particular Mr G'Froerer's stamina and diversity of ideas on the double-bell trumpet."

Title: METASTABILITY
Composer: Ben Carey
Performer: Ben Carey

"This work is an excellent and sophisticated example of modular synthesis, demonstrating the enduring relevance of old technology. The panel appreciated the personal relationship the artist has developed with the instrument, defining his own sound space and telling a detailed and complex sonic story. It is a substantial work featuring seamless interaction between its human and non-human elements."

Title: When the Rain God Sings Storm Lions are Born
Composer: Yunyu Ong
Performer: Taikoz
Publisher: ORiGiN Music Publishing

"This work stood out for its playful, whimsical spirit, expressed both in the accompanying statement and the engaging, immersive performance. It is a dialogue between the tradition of Taiko drumming and the use of electronics in contemporary performance practices - old and new, western and non-western. The panel noted the virtuosic performance and its evident audience appeal."

Overall comment

"The Electroacoustic/Sound Art category featured a treasure trove of works of extraordinary quality, demonstrating a high level of achievement. Several nominations attested to the international success of Australian artists, while others offered evidence of presentations to appreciative local audiences. The entries ranged from works which emphasized performativity to site-specific installations, to audio recordings. The range of sounds and textures, sound and visual sources, concepts and themes, processes and techniques, was truly impressive."

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Work of the Year: Choral

Winner

Title: Stabat Mater
Composer: Mary Finsterer
Narrator: Mel Gibson
Performer: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Choir of Trinity College Melbourne, Mia Robinson, Joseph Nolan, Benjamin Northey - conductor and Christopher Watson - choral director

"This is an outstanding and well-constructed work for orchestra, choir and pre-recorded narration. The panel described it as haunting, powerful, captivating and cinematic, and successfully expressing the anguish of the story of the Virgin Mary at the scene of Christ's crucifixion."

Finalists

Title: Earth Shaped Hearts
Composer: Juliana Kay and Bridget Bourne
Performer: Alta Collective and Bridget Bourne

"This is a delicate and pretty work which creates interesting soundscapes, evoking a certain Australianness through the use of echoing voices. The panel described it as elegant, inventive, compelling and well-structured."

Title: Passio
Composer: John Rotar
Performer: One Equal Music and The Australian Voices

"The panel described this substantial work as the telling of an old story through new musical ideas. They described it as impressive, powerful and dramatic, employing lush harmonies and the skilful incorporation of both organ and electronics."

Title: Winchester Canticles
Composer: Joe Twist
Performer: Winchester Cathedral Combined Choir

"The judges commended the effective use of the organ as accompaniment in this appealing and well-crafted work. The rhythmic variations and harmonic shifts engage the listener, as do the very effective dynamic contours."

Overall comment

"Nominations in the Choral category this year featured a wide variety of works on both sacred and secular themes. Source materials included the classic stories of the Passion of Christ and the Stabat Mater, Christmas carols, and texts in Australian Aboriginal languages, by Australian poets, and by the composers themselves."

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Work of the Year: Chamber Music

Winner

Title: Visions | Vestiges
Composer: Kate Milligan
Performer: London Symphony Orchestra

"The panel agreed that this work was unlike any other they have encountered. They were impressed by the ingenious use of an extra-musical device - a crystal ball - for musical purposes, which introduces an element of indeterminacy into a carefully structured score. The textures were subtle, ever-changing and beautiful to listen to throughout."

Finalists

Title: Ablaze
Composer: Elliott Gyger
Performer: Carla Blackwood, Miranda Hill, Ben Opie and Melina Van Leeuwen

"This work features a unique sound world employing extended techniques and microtones, with sudden timbral shifts and changes of mood. The judges noted that its discernible heart and emotional impact are underpinned by its technical and structural complexity."

Title: Daredevil
Composer: Holly Harrison
Performer: Omega Ensemble

"The judges noted Ms Harrison's unique personal voice, completely distinctive in the world of contemporary Australian art music. They enjoyed the sense of playfulness and joyousness, as well as the rhythmic clarity and propulsion throughout the work."

Title: Silhouettes for String Quartet
Composer: Maria Grenfell
Performer: Flinders Quartet

"This is a beautiful work in a traditional setting by an established composer in total command of her craft. Music-making at a very high level."

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Work of the Year: Large Ensemble

Winner

Title: Through Changing Landscape
Composer: Alice Chance
Performer: Sydney Symphony Orchestra and David Robertson - conductor

"The composer challenged herself by setting a highly restrictive musical limitation, then wrote a colourful, enjoyable and accomplished work for large forces transcending that limitation."

Finalists

Title: arcing, stilling, bending, gathering
Composer: Lisa Illean
Performer: Aura Go, Emma McGrath, Tilman Robinson and Musicians of the Australian National Academic of Music
Publisher: Hal Leonard Australia

"The composer has created an exquisite world that is unusually still, timbrally rich and with light and shade, and instils a rare attentiveness in the listener."

Title: Prayers and Tribulations
Composer: Brenton Broadstock
Performer: New York Staff Band

"An exciting work for large brass ensemble that successfully combines excellent thematic writing with demanding virtuosity that makes it appealing to both listener and player."

Title: Sarenka Concerto
Composer: Elena Kats-Chernin
Performer: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Darl Barltrop, Rachael Tobin and Chloé van Soeterstède - conductor
Publisher: Concord ANZ

"A very attractive work with a satisfying musical form and structure that is cleverly derived from an inspiring true story."

Overall comment

"The number and quality of the entries left a strong impression on the panel, as did the potential for so many works to have future performances. The panel encourages performing ensembles to continue their journey of programming composers with diverse backgrounds to add to the richness and complexity of this category in the future."

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Work of the Year: Dramatic

Winner

Title: Margaret and the Grey Mare
Composer: Sally Whitwell
Artist: Katy B Plummer
Performer: Margaret Plummer, Michael Honeyman, Katy B Plummer, Sarah Jessica Carpark, Freya Schack-Arnott and Sally Whitwell
Cinematographer: Kuba Dorabialski

"An important work in the landscape, it uses new technology to address traditional opera's racism and misogyny by giving its singers alternative stories to embody."

Finalists

Title: Standard Deviation
Composer: Jack Frerer
Performer: New York City Ballet

"An accomplished score that is able to stand as carefully structured music yet also support a ballet story by making the concepts of hierarchy, freedom and constraints common to both."

Title: The Journey Down
Composer: Mark Atkins, Andrew Daylight, Aviva Endean, Chris Griffiths, Preben Ningarmarra, Tristen Parr, and Vanessa Tomlinson
Performer: Mark Atkins, Andrew Daylight, Aviva Endean, Chris Griffiths, Preben Ningarmarra, Tristen Parr, and Vanessa Tomlinson

"An absorbing multimedia theatrical work involving old, new, found and invented musical instruments, it is the climax of a genuine and longstanding collaboration across communities and their individuals."

Title: The Nervous Atmosphere: A Chamber Made work by Zoë Barry
Composer: Zoë Barry
Performer: Zoë Barry

"An imaginative monologue with music and sound design, this mesmerizing work makes convincing narrative sense of common devices like looping pedals."

Overall comment

"The panel was gratified to see so many projects with a focus on true collaboration and storytelling that came from a genuine interest in fellow humans. The range of genres, modes of execution, identities and cultural perspectives made this category both difficult and a delight to adjudicate."

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Work of the Year: Jazz

Winner

Title: A Pinky Promise
Composer: Cheryl Durongpisitkul
Performer: Monash Art Ensemble

"A powerful work that represents the composer's commitment to being a force for change, transforming her experiences of sexism and racism into a positive expression of identity. The panel noted the moving ending of the work where the composer stops playing and stands up within the ensemble to conduct."

Finalists

Title: Ephemeral Echoes
Composer: Linda May Han Oh
Performer: Linda May Han Oh, Fabian Almazan, Lucy Birkinshaw, Steve Richter, Iain Robbie, Ben Vanderwal and Genevieve Wilkins

"Enhanced in performance by an absorbing lighting design, this composition successfully integrates a wide variety of jazz and other musical styles to create a statement on nature's beauty such as the Aurora Borealis as well as environmental issues like planned obsolescence."

Title: Mokuy
Composer: Aviva Endean, Sunny Kim, Peter Knight, Daniel Wilfred and David Wilfred
Performer: Hand to Earth

"This work is a unique sound within Australian jazz, blending traditions as varied as improvisation, jazz, electronics and, most importantly, Australian Indigenous songlines that are renewed by their caretakers in being incorporated in this work."

Title: The Odd River
Composer: Helen Svoboda
Performer: Helen Svoboda, Flora Carbo, Niran Dasika, Jacques Emery, Erik Griswold, Chloe Kim, Joseph O'Connor, Mike Roelofs and Andrew Saragossi

"Conceived and recorded despite COVID-19 lockdowns, this is playful and adventurous yet deep storytelling in music, with imaginative uses of musical instruments to meditate on the artist's view of a sometimes absurd state of the world."

Overall comment

"The panel noted several welcome trends, such as the fluid definition of jazz, that many entries drew from other musical traditions inside and outside of Western art music, that many works were very personal statements about the artists' experience of society, and the ongoing contribution of long term practitioners of jazz who are at the peak of their art."

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Performance of the Year: Notated Composition

Winner

Performer: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Choir of Trinity College Melbourne, Mia Robinson, Joseph Nolan, Benjamin Northey - conductor and Christopher Watson - choral director
Narrator: Mel Gibson
Title: Stabat Mater
Composer: Mary Finsterer

"This performance had a 'wow' factor. The judges described it as very emotive, polished and beautifully put together. The performance of the soprano soloist was especially commended, as was the playing of the whole MSO ensemble. An outstanding performance overall."

Finalists

Performer: Claire Edwardes and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Title: Dare to Declare - Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra
Composer: Anne Cawrse

"The judges appreciated the strong rhythmic character and evocative passages in Anne Cawrse's work, and the consummate performance of Ms Edwardes. The work was beautifully recorded with an excellent balance between the orchestra and soloist. They felt that the composer's intention was fully realized in the performance."

Performer: Jane Kircher-Lindner, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Ascher Fisch - conductor
Title: Bassoon Concerto
Composer: Andrew Schultz

"The judges appreciated the clear narrative through this work, expressed through a masterful performance. They commended Ms Kircher-Lindner for her outstanding work and finesse, describing the performance as whimsical and enchanting."

Performer: West Australia Symphony Orchestra, WASO Chorus, Aquinas College Schola Cantorum, Voyces, Abimanjou Mathivannan and Eduardo Strausser - conductor
Title: The Tides of Longing
Composer: Lachlan Skipworth and Jay Emmanuel

"The panel found this to be a compelling, moving performance in which all the various elements came together to create a kind of magic. It was a nuanced, balanced performance with effective use of the chorus. They also noted its cultural importance in telling a contemporary Australian story."

Overall comment

"The judges were impressed by the outstanding calibre of the nominations which ranged from virtuosic solo piano performances to the power of full orchestral and choral forces, all celebrating the performance of music by contemporary Australian composers."

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Performance of the Year: Jazz/Improvised Music

Winner

Performer: Mindy Meng Wang and Paul Grabowsky AO
Title: Spring, Flower, Snow and the Moon 春花秋月
Composer: Mindy Meng Wang and Paul Grabowsky AO*
Publisher: ORiGiN Music Publishing obo Air Edel*

"A seamless duo engaging as equals in a conversation, the result is in-the-moment and synergistic beauty."

Finalists

Performer: Mark Atkins, Andrew Daylight, Aviva Endean, Chris Griffiths, Preben Ningarmarra, Tristen Parr and Vanessa Tomlinson
Title: The Journey Down
Composer: Mark Atkins, Andrew Daylight, Aviva Endean, Chris Griffiths, Preben Ningarmarra, Tristen Parr and Vanessa Tomlinson

"The result of years of collaboration with regional Elders and community, this exquisite and textural work contains surprises like the making of a car into a democratic musical instrument that anyone can play."

Performer: Cheryl Durongpisitkul
Title: I Still Miss You
Composer: Cheryl Durongpisitkul

"Stemming from difficult personal circumstances, this deep and beautiful work is like an emotional release that enlarges the concept of a jazz ensemble with singing and spoken word."

Performer: Hand to Earth
Title: The Crow
Composer: Aviva Endean, Sunny Kim, Peter Knight, Daniel Wilfred and David Wilfred

"A project where the leadership of First Nations people is truly evident, the highly original music melds contemporary jazz with Yolngu songs sung in language."

Overall comment

"The panel was delighted with the increased number of submissions to this category, especially with highly collaborative work and also electroacoustic work. Future submissions are encouraged to include videos to aid the judging of performances."

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Award for Excellence in a Regional Area

Winner

Tura for The Journey Down

"This project was a tour de force of regional excellence. Tura worked in community, with community, and for community to create The Journey Down, which champions First Nations performers, stories, and community engagement. The idea of taking an 'object', in this case a wrecked car, and imbuing it with meaning by using it as a canvas and as an instrument, was inspired. It is a fantastic, inspiring achievement in cross-collaborative art forms including song, dance, and video projection. Its resonance, reach and impact in terms of both the number of people involved in the creative process, and the audiences from Kununurra in the East Kimberley, to Perth, has been vast and will be enduring."

Finalists

Topology for Queensland Stories

"This ambitious undertaking to mark Topology's 25th anniversary will have a broad and enduring impact. Thousands of people have been reached either as audience members or participants in creative development workshops which have produced 45 new works. Young people were involved in writing and performing under the mentorship of highly skilled professional musicians. An excellent example of community empowerment through music."

Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra forRegional Touring Program

"The panel was impressed with the range of activities undertaken by Camerata on their tour of regional Queensland, which demonstrate a depth of commitment to community engagement and enrichment - to 'leaving something behind' after the curtain closes. The commissioning of a new work creates a link between the regional community and the city where music composition is often concentrated."

Frances Evans for Warren Chamber Music Festival

"The judges noted the extraordinary personal commitment that Ms Evans has made to empowering the community of Warren through participation in music-making. The range of activities on offer include a youth orchestra, a community choir, a school music program and the performance and workshops programmed in the Chamber Music Festival itself."

Overall comment

"The panel noted that years ago there were a range and number of nominations in this most important national category, but now there are many and it's a very competitive field. The finalists all demonstrate a commitment to developing music in the regions in an enduring way. They not only bring excellent musical performances into communities, they also have a lasting impact through workshops with young people, school presentations, performances with local musicians and other creative activities."

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Award for Excellence in Music Education

Winner

The Song Room for building thriving communities for children by championing Australian music in remote NT

"The panel agreed that this is an outstanding project which engenders lasting benefits in the community through music education. The project is led by and co-designed with the Traditional Owners of the land in Bulman, Central Arnhem Land and champions original music telling local stories in language. The entire community was involved in the process of creation of the final composition, the song Nidjarra (Home). Nidjarra was performed at Bulman School, and a video recording was made and is shared widely via the internet."

Finalists

Speak Percussion for Sounds Unheard 2023 Program

"This project extends beyond the usual remit of Speak Percussion, offering an impressive suite of education and engagement activities to young people. They are introduced to contemporary and experimental music through participation in creative development sessions and performances, broadening their understanding of what studying music can entail."

The Sonicrats (Alon Ilsar, Ciaran Frame and Erick Mitsak) for You're an Instrument 2023 Victorian Schools Program

"The panel were excited by this innovative and well-designed program which introduces children to the practices of composition and improvisation. They were especially pleased with the way the program interrogates inclusive educational practices by employing technology which is universally accessible."

WA Youth Jazz Orchestra for WAYJO 2023 Pathways Program

"WAYJO draws on many years of experience in offering a broad range of activities and programs. They are well designed and there is evidence of support for the promotion of Australian repertoire through the commissioning of a composer in residence. An inclusiveness agenda is enacted through a program aimed at women and non-binary participants, and through the extension of activities into regional areas."

Overall comment

"Every entry in this category was regarded as commendable by the panel, who were impressed and pleased by the variety of initiatives creating music education opportunities for young people across the nation."

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Award for Excellence in Experimental Music

Winner

Gelareh Pour and Brian O'Dwyer forZÖJ

"The duo ZÖJ has deepened and surpassed collaboration between musical cultures and created a new space for sounds of those cultures."

Finalists

Chloe Kim 김예지 for100 Hours

"An impressive and playful work that is physically demanding and is an experimental and thorough involvement of the human body."

Gemma Horbury forThe Story of Here

"Telling 4.6 billion years of history in about 46 minutes, this ambitious work responds in real-time with script and music to the specific history of the site on which it is performed."

Mindy Meng Wang for continued leadership in pioneering experimentation and integration of the Guzheng into Western contemporary music, coupled with sustained artistic excellence

"This pioneering artist has cut across worlds in her advocacy of new ways to listen to, adopt and involve the ancient instrument that she plays."

Overall comment

"The panel was very encouraged by the pan-genre nature of this category and would be delighted if future years saw even further inclusion of artists who do not consider themselves to be in 'art music'."

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Luminary Award - National Individual

Winner

Genevieve Lacey for various projects and activities

"In a pool of incredible artists and arts workers, Genevieve's nomination stood out to the panel due to its breadth of activity and depth of collaborative relationships. Genevieve's focus within the assessment period (the previous 3-5 years) has been on building connections, mentoring young artists, and championing diversity (of many forms) within Australian art music; all interwoven with her own artistic practice. Truly a luminary, and source of guiding light within Australia's arts scene."

Overall comment

"The panel was in awe of the incredible collection of leaders, artists, innovators in Australia's broad music community! However, many incredible artists didn't focus on the last 3-5 years which negatively impacted submissions. Context (and general practice) is welcome and necessary, but should be used elevate the activity in the period rather than draw focus away."

Luminary Award - National Organisation

Winner

Omega Ensemble for sustained contribution to the commissioning of Australian composition, championing of diverse voices, and commitment to emerging artists

"A stellar organisation with a broad outreach and impact on the art music community. The panel were impressed with range of work completed, from commissioning and touring new work from a range established and emerging composers, to their professional development program CoLAB. Focused on accessible and approachable presentation of Australian repertoire to contemporary Australian audiences, Omega Ensemble is lighting the way for Australian art music organisations."

Overall comment

"This year had many impressive organisations nominated. Nominees should ensure to submit their entire portfolio of relevant activity for the proposed period. While specific programs can be the highlights of a submission, representing of the scope of the organisation throughout this period helps to provide context for these stellar achievements."

Luminary Award - State and Territory Awards

ACT Winner

Jessica Cottis for Chief Conductor and Artistic Director for Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and other conducting activity

"Jessica Cottis is leading interesting and engaging work, working with new music, notable music by Australian women, in a way we don't see by other state orchestras and major performing arts organisations. The impact of her work on the ground is luminary, importantly visible, and highly commendable."

NSW Winner

Jessica Wells for sustained sontribution to Australian music through composition and mentorship of emerging composers

"An accomplished composer of the concert and screen, Jessica Wells has utilised her industry experience and wealth of knowledge to educate, mentor and develop NSW art music composers. Whether through mentoring or development programs with other organisations, community positions or in her own work as an independent entrepreneur, Jessica shines a light for emerging composers to blaze their own trails."

QLD Winner

Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra for championing of Australian Music on its Mainstage Series and Regional Touring

"The panel highly praised Camerata's dedication to regional touring beyond major regional centres and into smaller communities where such performances have enormous impact. The organisation's dedication to Australian repertoire and bringing it new audiences regional and metropolitan alike is a guiding light for how art music organisations can meaningfully engage community, audiences and artists."

SA Winner

The Bowerbird Collective for regional touring, festivals, commissions and new work

"Ongoing dedication to building connections through music and live performance made The Bowerbird Collective's submission stand out to the panel. The panel noted not only the quantity of work, but the breadth of collaborations including Kaurna Elders, conservation organisations, and regional SA communities. Leading by example, bring together communities to celebrate and share through new Australian art music."

TAS Winner

Don Kay for contribution to music activity in Tasmania

"Ongoing composition work, teaching, and mentoring within the assessment period continue to add to the important legacy Don Kay has within Tasmania's music community. He continues to cultivate relationships with local performers, organisations, and composers, supporting both established and emerging artists - truly an integral part of Tasmanian art music."

VIC Winner

Duré Dara OAM for Percussion, Conversation, Degustation, her role as Resident Creative Director of Speak Percussion, and her continued work as an improviser and experimental musician

"An artist with an important creative legacy, with impact channelled through her leadership of Victoria's experimental music community in recent years. As mentor of many artists at various stages of life and career, as well as in her role as Speak Percussions' Creative Director, Duré Dara's impact on Victoria is vast - as a champion of equity, business leader, and cutting-edge artist of experimental and improvised music. Luminary only begins to describe her work."

WA Winner

Gemma Farrell for the education for people of marginalised genders in jazz including the Progressions Program and the Artemis Orchestra

"Gemma Farrell's work in supporting and championing marginalised genders in jazz, is commendable, critical, and timely. For an acclaimed early career artist to invest so much time and energy in addressing this imbalance in her local community is a shining example for other jazz communities and organisations, both nationally and internationally, seeking create a more equitable scene."

Overall comment

"The panel were heartened to note a steady increase in nominations and submissions for the state and territory Luminary Awards. However, it is important to note, where relevant, the same artist or organisation can be nominated both national and state awards.

The panel commended the focus of the State and Territory Luminary categories for their focus on local communities, and welcomed see local heroes and varied unsung people, who may not be eligible in the annual award categories. A strong pool of nominees this year, that shouldn't hesitate to resubmit should they be nominated again."