22 June 2004

Nominations for the most prestigious awards event in the classical music
calendar, the 2004 APRA - Australian Music Centre Classical Music Awards,
have been announced.

The Awards celebrate the diversity and energy of Australian classical music.

The Winners of three 'Works of the Year' Awards along with seven other national
Awards will be announced at a presentation ceremony on Monday 12 July at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The presentation will be broadcast live on ABC Classic FM for the first time.

'Works of the Year' nominations have been selected in three categories: Vocal/Choral, Orchestral and Instrumental, providing the opportunity for a range of compositions to be recognised. The nominees in each category reflect both performance activity as registered with APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association), and qualitative assessment of the compositions as judged by the Australian Music Centre’s National Awards Panel.

Nominations are:

Choral/Vocal Work:

• Country Places by Margaret Sutherland, performed by the Australian Children's Choir, text by Eiluned Lewis;
• New Gondwana by Stephen Leek, performed by Gondwana Voices, text by Anne Williams;
• Berceuse by Gerard Brophy, performed by the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, text inspired by and adapted from, the sonnets of il divinissimo Pietro Aretino.

Orchestral Work

• Love Duet from Oboe Concerto by Ross Edwards performed by Diana Doherty;
• Love Me Sweet by Carl Vine performed by Diana Doherty;
• Pipe Dreams by Carl Vine performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra;
• This Insubstantial Pageant by Gordon Kerry performed by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Instrumental Work

• Rumba Flamenca by Gareth Koch performed by Saffire Guitar Quartet;
• Stoneworks by Richard Charlton performed by Saffire Guitar Quartet;
• Threnody by Peter Sculthorpe performed by Patricia Pollett;
• The Room of the Saints by Gerard Brophy performed by Patricia Pollett.

Judged by a panel of leading composers, performers, musicologists, educators and critics, the seven other national Awards are:

• Best composition by an Australian composer
• Best performance of an Australian composition
• Best contribution by an organisation
• Best contribution by an individual
• Best contribution to the advancement of Australian music in education
• Best contribution from a regionally based organisation or individual, and
• Long-term contribution to the advancement of Australian music

A special Award will be given for Distinguished Services to Australian Music. State-based Awards for outstanding achievement in the field during 2003 will also be announced.

Hosted by Alan Saunders, presenter of ABC Radio National's (The Comfort Zone), and featuring performances by some of the country's leading musical talents, these Awards are the only national Awards which recognise the outstanding achievements of the past year by individuals and organisations in contemporary classical music.

"The range of nominations highlights the quality of Australian classical music composition and performance, and the passion and commitment of those who are involved in a diverse range of roles in our music community. The APRA –Australian Music Centre Classical Music Awards celebrates them all." said John Davis, General Manager, Australian Music Centre.

Bridget Elliott’s ‘The Face of Australian Music' photographic portraits exhibition will also be on display at the Conservatorium from 2 July to 6 August.

Media enquiries contact: Emma Heath, Public Relations & Management
P: 02 9571 5671, M: 0413 768 588, E: ehprm@ozemail.com.au