Young Composer Award
Applications are now closed for 2024. Applications for 2025 will open later this year.
The Young Composer Award is an annual national competition providing young Australian composers the rare opportunity to compose for a full orchestra then have their new work performed, and recorded live, by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
This prestigious award is in its 20th year and has been a springboard for a generation of composers. In addition to prize money, the recipient gains valuable experience and contacts refining their original score alongside a respected conductor and accomplished orchestra.
Hosted by Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra gratefully acknowledges benefactor Mark Wakely’s generous support of the award in memory of Steven Alward.
The Young Composer Award winner will receive:
- a cash prize of $5,000
- two premiere performances of the winning composition with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
There will also be awarded:
- a Highly Commended Award receiving $1500 (without a performance)
- an Encouragement Award receiving $500 (without a performance).
Cash prizes are not transferable.
Eligibility
To enter, applicants must be:
- under the age of 30 (born on or after 1 January 1994)
- an Australian citizen
- currently residing in Australia.
Submission criteria
Submission criteria for 2025 will be announced later in 2024.
Previous First Prize winners of the Willoughby Symphony Young Composer Awards cannot apply.
Entry deadline
The entry deadline for 2025 will be announced later in 2024.
Performance information
Performance details for 2025 will be announced later in 2024.
The world premiere performance of the selected composition for 2024 took place on Saturday 20 April 2024 at 7pm and Sunday 21 April 2024 at 2pm by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra during their concert Emperor. The concert was conducted by acclaimed conductor Luke Spicer.
Application guidelines
- Application is free of charge
- Entrants are required to complete all applications online.
- Score submissions should be in PDF format and labelled “LastName_FirstName_Title.pdf”
- Please submit audio recording as an .mp3 file, must not to exceed 25mb. Label file as “LastName_FirstName_Title.mp3”
- Scores should include a title page listing:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Contact details (phone, email, address)
- Do not include your name or any other identifiable material on any pages of score (other than the title page).
- Please submit an audio recording (from your music notation software) as an .mp3 file, not to exceed 25mb in size. Label file as “LastName_FirstName_Title.mp3"
Applications for 2025 will open later in 2024.
The prize will be adjudicated by three industry experts. Entrants will be judged anonymously, and no correspondence will be entered into by the panel chaired by Dr Daniel Rojas and entrants.
The award winner must be available to attend at least one rehearsal prior to the performance, to workshop and make additional changes as required and be present at a performance. The winner must provide Willoughby Symphony with a typeset score and parts for their composition no later than 1 Month prior to the rehearsal period.
The winner and runner up will be featured in publicity to promote the Award, Performance, and Symphony Orchestra, and may be required to participate in media interviews, photo shoots or video recordings. The winner and runner up may feature on websites, social media, in hard copy publications and other promotional material. The recording of the winner’s work may be shared with media for broadcast and publication.
Enquiries regarding entry or conditions should be directed to wsoc@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 02 9777 7634
2024 Award winner
Congratulations to Ray Lin, the winner of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s Young Composer’s Award for 2024!
The world premiere performance of his composition took place on Saturday 20 April 2024 at 7pm and Sunday 21 April 2024 at 2pm during the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra concert Emperor. The concert was conducted by the acclaimed Luke Spicer.
Young Composer Award ~ Ray Lin - Voyage of the Silk Road
Highly Commended Award ~John Rotar - Wide Blue Sky
Encouragement Award ~ Louis Wishart - Eternal Thread