Young Composer Award ‘How to Write a Winner’ Workshop
Willoughby City Council and Willoughby Symphony Orchestra is proud to present ‘How to Write a Winner’ - a new workshop for past and prospective entrants to the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s annual Young Composer Award.
The Young Composer Award [YCA] is an annual national competition established to provide young Australian composers with the unique opportunity to compose for symphony orchestra. The YCA provides the award recipient with both a concert performance and live recording of the successful composition by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
In 2025, the Young Composer Award celebrates its 21st year in providing an industry pathway for emerging orchestral composers. The award provides invaluable experience and relationships toward refining original orchestral works alongside a respected conductor and accomplished orchestra.
Hosted by Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, the WSO gratefully acknowledges benefactor Mark Wakely for his generous support of the award in memory of Steven Alward.
Event Information
Date: Saturday 8 November 2025
Time: 11am - 3:30pm
Venue: Joe Ciantar Music Rehearsal Studio, 8 McIntosh Street, Chatswood 2067
Information for Applicants
Please note that this workshop is only open to composers who submitted a work for the 2025 YCA. If you are not a 2025 composer, you may register to be an auditor (registrations open 15 September).
For the first time, this year's composers interested in submitting an entry for the 2026 award are invited to attend a workshop with a panel of industry experts. The panel will include representatives from the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and other community orchestras, who are able to give practical advice on crafting a work that is both achievable and excellent.
Topics covered will include:
- writing for performers of different experience levels;
- An insight into orchestral programming, including the impact of the rehearsal schedule, and audience expectations;
- How to write a work that has a life beyond the competition - and how to share it.
The workshop will also include analysis and feedback on works submitted to the 2025 Young Composer Award. Entrants to the 2025 competition who would like feedback on their work, and who are comfortable with having their work shared and critiqued in a public workshop setting, are invited to submit an Expression of Interest. No composer’s work will be used in the workshop without their express permission.
Please note this process is only open to composers who submitted a work for the 2025 YCA, and only on the particular work that was submitted. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee a workshop participant place. Willoughby Symphony will review all EOIs and make a selection of works that provide a balanced range of points for learning and discussion. There is no fee to be a workshop participant, and Willoughby City Council can offer some financial support for entrants travelling from interstate or regional NSW.
If you are 2025 YCA composer who would like to attend, please email WSO@Willoughby.nsw.gov.au.
Information for Auditors
This workshop welcomes auditors. All previous and prospective YCA entrants are invited to audit the workshop free of charge. Registrations for auditors open 15 September.