Young Composer Award

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The 2025 Young Composer Award is now open.

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.

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2025 Prizes and opportunities

The national Young Composer Award is generously supported by Mark Wakely in memory of Steven Alward. The award winner receives:

  • A cash prize of $5,000
  • A world-premiere performance and live recording of the award-winning composition with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 4 May 2025 at 2pm.
  • Workshop rehearsal of the composition with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

At the adjudication panel’s discretion, The Young Composer Award program also offers:

  • Highly Commended Award cash prize amount of $1,500
  • Encouragement Award cash prize amount of $500

Highly Commended and Encouragement Awards do not include performance or recording opportunities.

In a new initiative for 2025, all entrants will be invited to participate in a one-day workshop with the adjudicating panel to discuss ways to improve future submissions. Up to 10 compositions will be selected for the one-day workshop at the discretion of the adjudicating panel, and selected composers may apply to have their workshop travel expenses subsidised by Willoughby City Council. Composers may reserve the right not to have their piece discussed at the workshop at the time they receive an invitation to participate.

Further information relating to this workshop will be provided to entrants in late March 2025.

Eligibility

To enter, applicants must be:

  • Under the age of 35 (born on or after 1 January 1990).
  • An Australian citizen.
  • Currently residing in Australia.

Entry closing date and time

Monday 3rd February 2025 9:00 AM

2025 Young Composer Award submission

Download Submission criteria, guidelines and adjudicating process(PDF, 156KB)

Enquiries regarding submission or conditions of entry can be made via email wso@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or telephone 02 9777 7634.

2024 Award winner

Congratulations to Ray Lin, the winner of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s Young Composer’s Award for 2024.

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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

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