Willoughby Symphony Orchestra has announced its Young Composer of the Year for 2023. The award goes to Klearhos Murphy, whose new work, Prayer for Makronissos, will be performed by Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choir on 20 and 21 May at the Concourse Theatre, Chatswood, North Sydney.

Now in its 19th year, the WSO’s Young Composer Award is a national competition offering young Australian composers the opportunity to compose for a full orchestra and see that work performed and recorded live by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

The award has become a springboard for a generation of composers. Previous recipients include Emma Greenhill (2022) and Joseph Newton (2021).

In addition to prize money, the award-winner gains valuable experience and contacts refining their original score alongside a respected conductor and accomplished orchestra.

“To be given the opportunity to write original music, and have it performed by such an accomplished orchestra and choir, is truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Murphy, who added that he was “uncontrollably excited” to work with WSO.

Klearhos Murphy. Photo supplied.

Murphy is a Melbourne-based Australian-Greek composer who has worked with a variety of national and international ensembles. His area of...