2018 NZ Composer Sessions

in association with NZSO, RNZ Concert and SOUNZ

SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music is proud to announce the selection for the 2018 NZ Composer Sessions. Eight New Zealand composers’ works will be rehearsed and performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and recorded by RNZ Concert in January next year:

Chris Adams: Otira Gorge
Reuben Jelleyman: Hue Saturation and Brightness
Louisa Nicklin: One
Philip Norman: Two Fanfares
Andrew Perkins: Three Spanish Songs
Anthony Ritchie: Albatross in Flight
Patrick Shepherd: Lithosphere (3rd mvt)
Alex van den Broek: Barbour St. Late Evening

“NZ Composer Sessions is a quintessential SOUNZ project, bringing together our composers with the national orchestra to create high quality recordings of contemporary NZ music”, says SOUNZ Executive Director Diana Marsh. “Once again we are grateful for the support of our partners NZSO and RNZ Concert in helping to bring New Zealand composers’ music to a wider audience. The sessions also provide a valuable opportunity for other arts organisations to hear works by a range of New Zealand composers.”

A panel made up of representatives of the NZSO, RNZ Concert and the Composers Association of New Zealand (CANZ) selected the latest eight works to be recorded.

First-time participant Louisa Nicklin said, “I am so grateful to be selected for this amazing opportunity working with such talented musicians. This is my first year out of university and I couldn’t be happier with this outcome as it enables me to continue to develop as a composer.”

The 2018 recordings will take place in January at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington, including a concert for invited guests to promote the works to a range of orchestras and broadcasters.

The selected composers welcome the opportunity to work with the national orchestra. Andrew Perkins, who is taking part in the recordings for the third time, said, “The award provides me the welcome opportunity to work again with the NZSO, a world-class orchestra. I am also grateful of the acknowledgement of my work as a New Zealand composer.”

The project, previously known as NZSO-SOUNZ Readings (1998-2011) and NZSO-RNZ Concert-SOUNZ Recordings (2010-2016), was re-launched as NZ Composer Sessions this year. The collaboration offers composers an opportunity to have their orchestral compositions workshopped and performed by a professional orchestra, to be recorded in a professional setting and promoted to presenters. Throughout the years, over 130 works by 65 New Zealand composers have been recorded.

See the SOUNZ website for more information about the composers and the works.

Opera Factory’s Winning Workshops

The Opera Factory in Auckland are workshopping new works by New Zealand composers on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April:

Winning Workshops – An early evening Demonstration

An informal presentation of excerpts from the winning entry and four other finalists from our short chamber opera Composition Contest.

Sunday 17 April 5.30pm – 7pm;

At the NZ Opera Technical Centre 107 Neilson Street, Onehunga. Auckland.

General entry $20 by donation/Koha. Light refreshments will be served with a chance to meet and mingle.

Phone us on 09 921 7801 or 021 529 127 or simply reply on this email – to secure preferential seating.

The programme will be guided by the jury panel Philip Norman of Christchurch, Rosemary Barnes and Stuart Maunder (NZ Opera) and also introduce the composers.

This demonstration will feature excerpts from ‘The Illustrious Stranger’ (winning entry by Professor John Drummond of Dunedin) and other excerpts from finalists Claire Scholes (Live Drag), Graham Parsons (The Help Desk), Richard Francis (The Remarkable Rocket) & Ben Hoadley (Miss Brill).

Singers include Emma Sloman, Kerry Scurr, Catherine Reaburn, Helene Holman, Rosemarie Brown, Christina Orjis, Kelly Harris, Maeve Herd, Patrick Kelly, Clinton Fung, Mark Covich, Edward McKnight, Adrian du Toit, Arthur Adams-Close and Timothy Burrell accompanied by pianists Grace Francis and Gemma Lee.

Also for your interest: ‘Winning Workshops’ – split sessions on all 5 works will be held over the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April from 10.30 to 4.30pm each day.

Singers will informally explore the new works alongside the composers and project panellists with open feedback.

Observers are welcome at any of these informal open workshop sessions at any times of both days ($10 koha/donation on arrival).

The weekend of workshop sessions and the concluding demonstration will also have limited door sales available.

APRA AMCOS launches Art Music Fund

In recognition of the limited opportunities for art music composers to have their works performed, APRA AMCOS has initiated the Art Music Fund.

Australian and New Zealand composers are now invited to apply for a grant from a total pool of AUD$100,000. The funding is available for the creation of commissioned work that is complemented by an exploitation program – designed to maximise the life of the work.

It is expected that composers will collaborate with ensembles, orchestras, producers, recording companies, broadcasters, festivals and other parties to propose the writing of a work that will be guaranteed multiple exposures by way of performances, recordings, broadcasts or digital dissemination.

See APRA’s announcement for full details.

CANZ Trust Fund Award and KBB/CANZ Citation to be presented at International Festival

Ross Harris (born 1945, Christchurch), one of New Zealand’s most recognised and celebrated composers, will receive the CANZ Trust Fund Award during the New Zealand Festival in Wellington next month. In the same ceremony, the KBB/CANZ Citation for Services to New Zealand Music will also be presented to the Wellington-based new music ensemble Stroma.

The Composers Association of New Zealand (CANZ) presents its Trust Fund Award each year to a composer whose current compositional activities are considered outstanding. New Zealand’s network of composers, CANZ supports and advocates for emerging and established New Zealand composers and their work. The Trust Fund winner is decided each year by the CANZ committee, elected members who donate their time to support the network and its various activities.

Harris’s music is widely hailed as strong and skilful, often tackling deep themes from history. He has set notable texts by leading NZ poets and writers, and his collaborations with poet Vincent O’Sullivan in particular have produced two remarkable operas, a symphony, three song cycles and a requiem. Harris’ output of over two hundred works is notable for its many large-scale compositions including five symphonies and two concerti. His work has been played in many countries, and he has won many awards including a QSM in in 1985, and made an Arts Laureate in 2014. Harris has won the SOUNZ Contemporary Award more times than any other New Zealand composer. Each new work shows a mature voice characterised by musical richness and security of purpose.

KBB Music has for many years sponsored and supported the KBB/CANZ Citation for Services to New Zealand Music, an annual award presented to an individual or organisation in recognition of their outstanding contribution and commitment to New Zealand composition.

Established in 1999 by composers Mike Norris and Phil Brownlee, and performers Bridget Douglas and Hamish McKeich, Stroma has brought much new music to Wellington and beyond. Comprising mostly NZSO members who have a desire to play challenging new music, the ensemble has commissioned and premiered over 40 works by such NZ composers as David Downes, James Gardner, Ross Harris, Alexandra Hay, Samuel Holloway, Dorothy Ker, Dugal McKinnon and Jeroen Speak, and presented it alongside new music from leading international composers.

Stroma will join a long list of recipients of the KBB/CANZ Citation which includes Jack Body, David Farquhar, Dame Gillian Whitehead, Karen Grylls, Douglas Lilburn, Margaret Neilsen, Philip Norman, John Rimmer, John Ritchie, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, 175 East, the NZTrio, Waiteata Music Press and many more.

The two awards will be presented at the conclusion of the second performance of Harris’s work Brass Poppies at Shed 6 on Friday 4th March. With a libretto by Vincent O’Sullivan and a score performed by Stroma and NZ Opera, the chamber opera powerfully depicts the Gallipoli story and its impact on New Zealanders.

ISCM Ljubljana

CANZ delegate Mary Binney gives a presentation to the ISCM General Assembly in Ljubljana, Slovenia on New Zealand’s bid to host the 2020 World Music Days festival

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2013 ACL Young Composer Representative selected

CANZ is pleased to announce that Reuben Jelleyman has been selected as New Zealand’s Young Composer Representative at the 31st Asian Composers League Festival to be held in Singapore, 20-24 September 2013.

New Zealand has a proud history of success in the competition, which is held at every ACL Festival.

Canzonetta material due

Know about something that should be in Canzonetta? Got some great action shots of a recent performance of contemporary NZ composition? Doing a concert soon which features NZ works?

Then let me know – material for the next issue of Canzonetta (Jun-July) is now due. Email information about upcoming concerts, news items, photos of performances of new compositions or other content of interest to CANZ members to canzonetta@canz.net.nz

Please include “Canzonetta” in the subject.

Canzonetta Material Due

Material for the next issue of Canzonetta (Apr-May) is now due. Email information about upcoming concerts, news items, photos of performances of new compositions or other content of interest to CANZ members to canzonetta@canz.net.nz

2011 APO Composer Mentor

A new position for 2011, in addition to their Composer-in-Residence position (John Psathas).

The Composer Mentor will take over all of the APO Education mentoring. This will include:
– mentoring participants of APO Connect and Compose events for 2011
– arranging music for the APO Education programme
– speaking for the APO on composition issues and contributing to the shape of the 2012 APO Compose programme
– liaising with CANZ as required
– answering questions from students about composition via email as required

Applicants should also:
– have experience as a composer, including thorough knowledge of composing for orchestral instruments
– awareness and experience of the NZ school environment and NZ composing community and context
– educational presentation and assessment ability in composition

$15K fee, to include travel and accommodation if required.

Applications should include a covering letter stating why you are applying for the position, a CV outlining your relevant skills and experience, a representative recordings of arrangements and original compositions for orchestral instruments, and should be sent to: APO Education, PO Box 56024, Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland 1446.

Closing date 31 October 2010. Further information is available from Lee Martelli, APO Education Manager at leem@apo.co.nz or www.apo.co.nz