2005 Classical Music Awards
Hosted in conjunction with APRA, the 2005 Classical Music Awards ceremony was held at Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, on 18 July 2005.
Award-winning percussionist Claire Edwardes opened the year's Classical Music Awards with a mesmerising performance of Ross Edwards's More Marimba Dances, a sequel to his well-known Marimba Dances which was composed over 20 years ago. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, except for Ross himself who, instead, bounded eagerly to the stage to embrace Claire with obvious approval of her playing. This very enthusiatic embrace seemed to highlight the unique composer/musician relationships that are often forged, and perhaps even necessary, within the Australian Music Community
Anne Boyd received the Distinguished Services to Australian Music Award for her contribution to the artform that spans several decades. Boyd is one of this country's foremost composers and music educators. The Best Composition by an Australian Composer Award went to Brett Dean whose Moments of Bliss was commissioned by Symphony Australia as part of a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Composer Residency, and premiered by the MSO in 2004. The Award for Best Performance of an Australian Composition went to Steven Isserlis and the Sydney Symphony for Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by Carl Vine.
Works of the Year
Vocal/Choral Work of the Year
Tales of the Supernatural: folk songs for singer and string quartet by Andrew Ford.
Orchestral Work of the Year
Concerto for Guitar and Strings by Ross Edwards.
Instrumental Work of the Year
Six Fish by Nigel Westlake
Best Composition/Performance Award
Best Composition by an Australian Composer
Brett Dean for Moments of Bliss.
Award for Best Performance of an Australian Composition
Steven Isserlis and the Sydney Symphony for Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by Carl Vine.
Contribution Awards
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.
Most Distinguished Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area
Border Music Camp, for their 2004 activities.
Most Distinguished Contribution to the Presentation of Australian Music by an Individual
Vincent Plush for the 'Voices' program in the 2004 Brisbane Writers Festival.
Most Distinguished Contribution to the Presentation of Australian Music by an Organisation
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for their Australian Music Program 2004.
Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music
Musica Viva Australia
Distinguished Services to Australian Music
Anne Boyd 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.
State Awards
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tasmanian State Award
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for their Australian Music Program 2004. Australian music was presented in all of their concert series and programs.
2005 Awards Judging Panels
Stephen Adams, Geoff Allen, Jim Atkins, Michael Barkl, Gwen Bennett, Georgina Binns, Helen Colman, Jim Cotter, Stephen Cronin, Joel Crotty, Alison Fyfe, Stuart Greenbaum, Carol Hellmers, Robyn Holmes, Don Kay, Evan Kennea, Linda Kouvaras, Somaya Langley, Helen Lancaster, Andy Lloyd James, Marshall Maguire, Christine McCombe, Geoffrey Morris, Anthea Parker, Jo Parkes, Allessandro Serverdei, Gabriella Smart, Charles Southwood, Sue Tronser, Michael Whiticker, Amanda Wojtowicz.
A special thanks goes to Gwen Bennett for chairing the national awards panel.
