The Australia Ensemble UNSW aims to foster greater engagement in and recognition of composition and chamber music activities at UNSW. Support from Emeritus Professor Roger Layton AM and Merrilyn Layton has facilitated a UNSW composition fellowship to again be offered valued at $10,000 for one year, for an Emerging Composer to write chamber music works as part of the Australia Ensemble’s artistic development program.
The winner will receive $10,000 to write one 8-10 minute chamber work for the Australia Ensemble UNSW across the course of a 12-month period, through a competitive selection process determined by UNSW. The Emerging Composer will also be eligible for mentoring sessions leading composers and members of the Australia Ensemble UNSW, and their work will feature in at least one public workshop.
Previous winners of the Prize include Natalie Nicolas, Alex Turley, Angus Davison, Nicole Murphy, Harry Sdraulig, Ian Whitney and Elizabeth Younan, who have spring-boarded from the program into Australia’s largest concert halls and around the world.
The Layton Emerging Composer Fellowship is open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents, and still in an early career stage.
The definition of an Emerging Composer has slightly changed to previous years. Applicants must be within the first 5 – 7 years of creative practice. Those with numerous commissions from major national or international organisations, or permanent academic positions will be considered established composers.
Applications will consist of three previous chamber works from the composer’s portfolio. The works will require recordings to support the submission, of which a minimum of two are required to be live recordings, and one may be a midi realisation.
Applications open on 12 June 2025, 12pm AEST and close 22 August 2025 5.00pm AEST. The winner will be announced on 25 October, at the Australia Ensemble UNSW concert, and online by 27 October 2025, 12pm AEST.
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