2016 Art Music Awards head to Melbourne
Photo Credit: Tony Mott
PRESS RELEASE:
The Art Music Awards, an annual event staged jointly by APRA AMCOS and theAustralian Music Centre (AMC), will return to Melbourne this August to honour Australia’s most outstanding talent in the fields of contemporary classical, electroacoustic, improvised and experimental music, and contemporary jazz.
The black-tie industry event will be held on Tuesday 16 August at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne to highlight the diversity and quality of the contemporary Australian music landscape.
Eleven national awards will be presented across categories that cover composition and performance as well as outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations. State and territory-based awards will also be handed out.
BRETT COTTLE, APRA AMCOS Chief Executive said, “APRA AMCOS, in partnership with AMC, is proud to be presenting the 6th annual Art Music Awards. In recognising the achievements of music creators, performers, educators, organisations and presenters, these awards highlight the tremendous work carried out by the whole art music community.”
Taking on the role of Art Music Awards music curator for the very first time is acclaimed pianist and passionate champion of Australian contemporary music, Gabriella Smart. A recipient of various awards and fellowships, Gabriella has presented numerous premieres of Australian compositions and performed solo recitals everywhere from the Melbourne International Festival to La Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. She established theSoundstream Collective, an ensemble of some of Adelaide’s finest musicians, and continues to collaborate with many Australian composers, commissioning and premiering their works.
Making his first-time appearance as Art Music Awards host is Jonathan Biggins. The actor, author, satirist and MC extraordinaire is regarded as one of Australia’s most polished and entertaining performers. He has played Peter Sellers in Ying Tong, Koko in The Mikado, written for the Good Weekend magazine for seven years and directed the Australian productions of Avenue Q and Noises Off.
Finalists for the 2016 Art Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday 19 July.
NATIONAL CATEGORIES FOR THE 2016 ART MUSIC AWARDS
Orchestral Work of the Year
Instrumental Work of the Year
Vocal/Choral Work of the Year
Jazz Work of the Year
Performance of the Year
Award for Excellence by an Organisation
Award for Excellence by an Individual
Award for Excellence in Music Education
Award for Excellence in a Regional Area
Award for Excellence in Experimental Music (for works, people or events)
Award for Excellence in Jazz (for works, people or events)
An additional category is awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors of APRA AMCOS for Distinguished Services to Australian Music.
State and territory awards will also be presented to recipients who have entered into one of the 11 national categories.
Tuesday 16 August
Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins
With music performances curated by Gabriella Smart