Eve De Castro-Robinson wins 2007 SOUNZ Contemporary Award

At the APRA Silver Scrolls evening held on Tuesday 18th September in Auckland, These Arms To Hold You won the 2007 SOUNZ Contemporary Award as the best new work of the last 12 months by a New Zealand composer.

“This work had moments of magic,” the jury commented. “The writing is fresh, lively and full of the uninhibited joy of youth while also being adventurous and imaginative.”

The other finalists for the 2007 SOUNZ Contemporary Award were Anthem on the Kaipara for string orchestra by Christopher Blake and The Sleep of Reason… for chamber sextet by Ross Harris.

Call for Proposals

Every year the APO invites composers to submit their new pieces to be workshopped and recorded under the mentorship of our Composer-in-Residence. For 2008, in conjunction with NZO, we have decided to offer six NZ composers the opportunity to write a work for solo singer and orchestra.
The PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists from NZO will be the solo singers, and will liaise with composers during the creative process. APO Composer-in-Residence Gareth Farr will also provide support. The instrumentation available is 3*3*3*3*/4331/T, 2 perc, hrp, piano/celeste, strings. The solo singer can be either a soprano or a baritone.
To apply, please send the following by 1 November 2007:

– the completed application form

– two scores of your own compositions which you feel represent the best of your orchestral/vocal writing

– an outline of your proposed composition for solo singer and orchestra. This should include a written outline, text proposal, and could also include a graphic sketch/score outline

Please note that all applicants need to have time available to complete the draft of their new work by 1 May 2008. Also please be aware that this opportunity is not open to pieces that have already been composed, as the Emerging Artists must be factored into the process. The six composers will be jointly selected by the APO and NZO.

Questions? Contact Lee at lfarley@aucklandphil.co.nz or (09) 638-7073 x219.