National Young Composers Project

Young Composers Project and Composer-in-Residence Project

In 1994, the then Vice-President of ASME, Associate Professor Gary McPherson initiated a Composer-in-residence project in conjunction with the Australian Music Centre and funded by the Australia Council to promote the place of composition in music education.

The Composer-in-residence project was linked to the Young Composers Project.

The composer-in-residence project has a two-fold aim of: developing a body of Australian musical works composed by leading Australian composers that are suitable for performance in school and community settings; and providing young composers from around Australia with a valuable opportunity to work with a leading professional and to receive feedback on their own compositional works.

The Composer-in-Residence project commissions a prominent Australian composer to compose a work for a school or community-based ensemble. It is anticipated that this is performed at the biennial national conference of ASME. In addition to working closely with the identified ensemble in order to complete the commission, the Composer-in-Residence also leads a series of workshops with Young Composers during the period of the national conference.

Past ASME Composers-in-Residence

2023 ASME XXIV – SydneyComposer-in-ResidenceHolly Harrison
Commissioned Work

Riffs and Revs

Performed by

Ensemble Offspring

Young Composers
Kairyo SearleQLDRhapsody on a theme
Henry GellTASMusic Unleashed
Adriel SukumarNSW
Sage RyanVICChimaera
Luca ShinSAMorgan Beach
Commissioned Work

Breathe

Performed by

Hobart Wind Symphony, conducted by Simon Reade

Young Composers
Aron NashTASA Day in My Mind
Kobe VincsVICVoyage of the Beagle
Guy RobertsonTASThe Cathedral and the Burning City
Mitchell WhitemanSAEternal
Commissioned Work

Project did not include a commissioned work in 2019

Young Composers
Samuel CarrickQLDGenerous
Nathan CattellWAMy Day Nothing at School
Isaac FrenchWAPride
Kale KendallWAChasing Hollow Mouse
Finn ClarkeTASAquacension
Luka IsonNSWViolin Sonata in A Major
Lara TurnerSA12 pieces for Clarinet, Violin & Piano
Commissioned Work

Skittled

Performed by

Australian String Quartet

Stephen KingViola
Sharon DraperCello
Brendan JoyceViolin

Lachlan BrambleViolin


*Guest artists

Young Composers
Rhys GrayTASDer Bildungsroman
Grant KynastonQLDHow Zemblanitous: A Chaconne for String Quartet
Holly BroadbentWAQuartet in A minor
Joshua PakNSWFor Cello
Charles WoodSADance of the Earth
Nikki EdgarVIC"no explanation"
Commissioned Work

Giningininderry

Performed by

Radford College Choir, Conducted by Joel Copeland

Young Composers
Raghav Sharma-BurtonACTDer Bildungsroman
Andrew HartleyNSWRoi Fripp
Shaun Ji-ThompsonQLDMorning Calm – Joseon Picturesque, mvt 1 Hanyang’s Snow
Josh BelperioSAThe Book Thief
Hayden DunVICThe Midnight Circus
Mitchell Price-NorgaardWASonata No. 1 in Bb Major
Commissioned Work

Fortitude Street

Performed by

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra

Young Composers
Edward HamptonNSWEpico
Nicholas RossiQLDA Hero’s Tale
Nathan CumminsSAAllegro Animato
Thieron BoothTASMorning Introspection
Elana de Gleria ClarkVICAll That is Gold
Simon MatthewsWAExpostulation
Commissioned Work

Even in the city you can still see the stars…

Performed by

The University of Tasmania Community Music Program Wind Orchestra, Conducted by Stephen King

Young Composers
Nathan LamQLDFanfare
Ryan MifsudSAAweigh: Santy Ano
Tobais BrodelTASLS Lives in Gaza
Gene HollandVICRage of the Spirits
Commissioned Work

Wheatbelt

Performed by

Western Australian Youth Chorale, Conducted by Robert Braham

Young Composers
Andrew HowesNSWExercise in the Process of Precipitation
Elizabeth OldfieldSABushfire
Daniel WongVICThe Bells
Perry JoyceWAOld Botany Bay
Commissioned Work

A Way Back

Performed by

he WhizBang Orkestra, Conducted by Bryn Hills

Young Composers
Alexander GarsdenNSW
Nathan CoxQLD
Melanie PieridesSADisconnected
Robbie ElliotTASRed, White & Blue
Dean GourleyVICAnother Day
Danni StefanettiWAToo Caught Up
Commissioned Work

Burke & Wills Suite

Performed by

Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Martin Jarvis

Young Composers
Mark OliverioNSWDivertimento
Gene PetersonNTRaindance
Timothy FranklinQLDPeak Hour
Ester TohSAAn Equal Eternity
Johannes LuebbersVICGreen Lantern
Kit BuckleyWAIce Nightmare
Commissioned Work

To be Sung Under Open Sky

Performed by

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Arvo Volmer

Young Composers
Laura WowkACTEvolution 2000
Michael ThriftNSWBegun, Begone, BOGONG
Rachel MertonQLDStruggles of the Mind
Matthew ToogoodSABush Fire
Anthony MolesTASCompact Symphony
Stefan CassomenosVICAegean Odyssey
Michael Le PageWADistractions
Commissioned Work

||

Performed by

Sydney Chamber Choir and Sprung Percussion, Conducted by Nicholas Routley

Young Composers
Hannah CrokeNSWEradication (Vocal Ensemble)
Samuel DonovanNSWAgnus Dei (Vocal Ensemble)
Anne CawrseSAAnthem for the Fallen (Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble)
Andrea BakerTASTime to Change (Saxophone Quartet)
Taran CarterVICMaddison (Wind Quartet)
Commissioned Work

Man to Tree – Five songs for A cappella SATB Choir

Performed by

A combined choir of students from Brisbane schools, Conducted by David Banney

Young Composers
Michael PattersonACTLoki (Orchestra)
Susan LammiNSWIntrada (Brass and Percussion)
Andrew HelbergNTSymphony No 1 in E minor (Orchestra)
Simon CobcraftQLDViola Concerto in D Minor (Orchestra and Viola)
Matthew AndersonSASeagulls (Orchestra)
Myles MumfordTASNocturne and Dance (Orchestra)
Gareth EdwardsVICForest Morning (Orchestra)
Jemma GoldingWAPeriod Four, Monday (Orchestra)
Commissioned Work

Chants

Performed by

The University of Tasmania Community Music Concert Band, Conducted by Monte Mumford

Young Composers
Leah CurtisACTOverture to Hero and Claudio (Orchestra)
Monica GrosmanNSWSomnolence (Orchestra)
Paul WangNSWComposition for String Orchestra
Andrew HelbergNTFebruar Sonate (Flute and Piano)
Bryce GilhomeQLDThoughts (Choir and Orchestra)
Ange ZuccoSAEnvy (Orchestra)
Simon ReadeTASElegy (Clarinet and Piano)
Amy BennettVICTarantella and Siciliano (Piano Trio)
Stuart George JamesWAComposition for Orchestra and Solo Trumpet
Lauren ArmishawNew ZealandFaraway

ASME recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first musicians, storytellers and educators of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, acknowledging their ongoing connection to land, sky and waterways