Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 opens entries for $100,000 in prizes
Organisers behind the coveted Melbourne Prize for Music & Awards have today officially opened entries, seeking submissions from all corners of Victoria’s thriving music community. Entrants will go in the running to win one of four categories, with a total prize pool of a cool $100,000
Entries are open to all those who operating within the creative music sphere, including all genres and all people be they performers or composers. You can submit your work from today – that is, Monday, June 24th – and your last chance will be Monday, 22nd July before entries close. That doesn’t leave much time to twiddle your thumbs, our dear potential winners.
Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, September 4th followed by a public exhibition and an announcement of the winners on Wednesday, November 13th.
As well as the four categories, listed below, there will be a people’s choice award, AKA the $3,000 Civic Choice Award. Voting for that will begin when the finalists are announced.
A small crowd of some of Australia’s most talent musical figures has also been announced for the awards, with Kutcha Edwards, Professor Paul Grabowsky AO, Kate Miller-Heidke, Professor Liza Lim, Melissa King and Helen Marcou swinging the gavel.
Speaking of the 2019 edition, Melbourne Prize Trust Executive Director, Simon Warrender says “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.”
Anyway. Why are you still here? Enter here, now. Like, right now!
The Melbourne Prize for Music 2019 and Awards 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.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.