Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Entries are now open for the Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 and Awards, providing opportunities for Victorian musicians across all genres, including composers and performers. Valued at more than $130,000 in total, the Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 and Awards include five categories, plus a public choice award. There are two new categories this year, including the Beleura Award for Composition, worth $25,000.

Guidelines and online entry forms are available on the Melbourne Prize for Music website. Entries for these important Awards close on 11 July at 5pm.

Award categories in 2016

• Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 ($60,000) for a Victorian musician, or group of musicians, whose work has made an outstanding contribution to Australian music and has enriched cultural and public life. Supported by the Vera Moore Foundation.
• Outstanding Musicians Award 2016 ($30,000 - plus $2,500 Qantas international travel) for a Victorian musician or group for a recent work representing outstanding creativity and skill. Supported by the Melbourne Prize Trust.
• Beleura Award for Composition ($25,000) - a new category for a composition of outstanding musicianship, skill and creativity. All genres of composition are eligible. Supported by the Tallis Foundation in memory of John Tallis (1911-1996).
• Distinguished Musicians Fellowship 2016 - a new category supported by the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) providing a commercial engagement with the VCA and MCM to the value of $20,000.
• Development Award ($16,000) for an early-career musician or group, 30 years of age and under, demonstrating outstanding musical talent with the potential to develop their professional career - comprising a $6,000 rrp. Yamaha Music Australia music instrument and equipment grant and $10,000 cash supported by the William Buckland Foundation.
• Civic Choice Award 2016 ($4,000) supported by Readings for the finalist with the highest number of public votes. Voting for this category opens on 6 September. Voters will go into the running to win a luxury overnight stay at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne's Hotel for the Arts.

The 2016 judges are Patrick Donovan, CEO Music Victoria and Chair Australian Music Industry Network; Professor Paul Grabowsky AO, pianist, composer, conductor, Director Monash Academy of Performing Arts; Genevieve Lacey, recorder virtuoso, artistic director and collaborator; Marshall McGuire, Head of Artistic Planning, Melbourne Recital Centre; Helen Marcou, co-founder Bakehouse Studios and SLAM; and Ronald Vermeulen, Director of Artistic Planning, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.