Victoria’s vibrant music community will tune up for big rewards as entries open today for Australia’s most valuable and sought after music prizes – the Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 and Awards.
Launched in 2004, the Melbourne Prize Trust was established to recognise and reward talent, excellence and inspire creative development. The Trust achieves this aim by running the annual Melbourne Prize, which is funded by a collaboration of partners and patrons. The Melbourne Prize Trust and annual Melbourne Prize was founded by Executive Director, Simon Warrender.
Providing opportunities for Victorian musicians across ALL music genres, including performers and composers, and valued at more than $100,000, the Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 and Awards offers four categories, plus a public choice award.
Melbourne Prize Trust Executive Director, Mr Simon Warrender, said the Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 and Awards provides significant opportunities for local musicians and promotes the abundant musical talent we have in our community.
“Victoria is renowned for its vibrant music sector. This year we are excited to announce a change to the the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 which will shift its focus to seek Victoria’s most outstanding musician or group,” Mr Warrender said.
“The Prize and Awards recognise and reward excellence and talent across all music genres and career stages and have been made possible by the generous support of our partners and patrons, all of whom understand the importance of providing opportunities to develop the local music sector, adding to our community in so many ways,” Mr Warrender added.
The Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 and Awards include the following categories:
$60,000 NEW MELBOURNE PRIZE FOR MUSIC 2019 will be awarded to an outstanding Victorian musician or group whose work demonstrates exceptional musicianship, skill and creativity. ALL music genres are eligible for this Prize. The Melbourne Prize for Music is supported by principal partner, The Vera Moore Foundation and the Melbourne Prize Trust.
$20,000 DISTINGUISHED MUSICIANS FELLOWSHIP 2019 will be awarded to a finalist in the Melbourne Prize for Music 2019, the Beleura Emerging Composers Award 2019 and the Development Award 2019. The Distinguished Musicians Fellowship 2019 will reward a Victorian musician with a commercial engagement with the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and is made possible by the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and The University of Melbourne.
$18,500 DEVELOPMENT AWARD 2019 will be awarded to an early career musician or group of musicians who demonstrate outstanding musical talent and the potential to develop their professional career. ALL music genres are eligible for this Award. The Development Award 2019 includes $10,000 cash, $6,000 Yamaha Music voucher and $2,500 Qantas airfare voucher. The Development Award 2019 is supported by Dr Alastair Jackson AM, Yamaha Music Australia and Qantas.
$12,500 BELEURA EMERGING COMPOSERS AWARD 2019 will be awarded to an emerging Victorian composer to commission work to develop their career. All genres of composer are eligible for this Award. The Beleura Emerging Composers Award 2019 is made possible by The Tallis Foundation, in memory of John Tallis (1911-1996).
$3,000 CIVIC CHOICE AWARD 2019 will be awarded to a finalist across all Award categories with the highest number of public votes. Voting opens on 4 September 2019. The Civic Choice Award 2019 is proudly supported by Readings.
The 2019 judges include six esteemed music sector professionals – Kutcha Edwards, singer/songwriter; Professor Paul Grabowsky AO, Pianist, Composer, Conductor, Director Monash Academy of Performing Arts; Professor Liza Lim, Composer, Professor of Composition, Sydney Conservatorium of Music; Melissa King, Director of Artistic Planning, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; Helen Marcou, Co-founder of Bakehouse Studios and SLAM; and Kate Miller-Heidke, singer/songwriter.
KEY DATES:
Entries open: Monday 24 June 2019
Entries close: Monday 22 July 2019, 5pm
Finalists announced: Wednesday 4 September 2019
Public Exhibition at Federation Square: Monday 11 November – Monday 25 November 2019
Winners announced: Wednesday 13 November 2019
Winner of the Civic Choice Award 2019 announced: Friday 29 November 2019
For information and to enter or nominate visit www.melbourneprize.org. Entries can be made by the individual musician or group or by nomination.