AWE is seeking a young New Zealand composer to receive personalised composition mentoring from AWE Mentoring Composer Salina Fisher – to write a string chamber work to be performed during the 2023 AWE Festival and within multiple school performances throughout New Zealand’s Central Lakes region. The young composer will take up residence at the 2023 AWE Festival from 10-20 October 2023.
Selected through a nationwide application process in May 2023, the successful applicant will receive mentoring from Salina Fisher – the AWE 2021 Composer in Residence and 2022 Mentoring Composer, over the five-month period prior to the October 2023 festival, supported to write a string chamber work of approximately 5 minutes in length. The work will be performed within the AWE Festival by the 2023 Emerging Musicians, in addition to multiple performances in local schools. The festival performance will be recorded and filmed. The Emerging Composer will take up residence at the AWE Festival from 10-20 October 2023, attending performances, working with the Emerging Musicians in rehearsal of their composition (supported by the Composer Mentor) and introducing their work within the performances. They will also participate within AWE Composition Workshops, presented by the Composer Mentor for local high school students. All travel and accommodation costs for the festival attendance in Queenstown and Wanaka will be covered by the AWE Festival. Evening meals will be provided, in addition to a daily per diem for general expenses.
AWE was a life-changing experience for me, due to the amount of support, encouragement, friendship, and freely given knowledge that all at the festival gave. It feels like a second family, one where we can express ourselves through art – something unique and special to this festival. Being mentored and conversing with not one, but two of our greatest New Zealand composers was something quite extraordinary and I will carry these experiences and friendships with me for life – Eva Bedggood, AWE 2022 Emerging Composer.
Competition Selection Process:
- Applicants must be 20 years or younger as of 1 May 2023, be a NZ citizen or permanent resident, and currently
reside in NZ. - Applicants are to provide:
- 1 or 2 pieces they have written, with at least one composition involving a string instrument to a
significant extent (violin, viola or cello). - A paragraph about their musical interests and experience.
- A paragraph about why they would like to be selected.
- A short outline of their ideas and plans for their string chamber music work, should they be selected.
- Applicants should consider suitability of new work for performances in schools.
- 1 or 2 pieces they have written, with at least one composition involving a string instrument to a
APPLICATION FORMAT: The portfolio score(s) must be provided in PDF format and all three written components must be collated in one PDF document.
OPTIONAL: Audio (if available) of portfolio piece(s) must be a link to a streaming service such as Soundcloud or YouTube. If this is not possible, please use Dropbox or Google Drive to transfer MP3 files. Do not email MP3 files. MIDI realisations are acceptable and must be in MP3 format.
- Applications are to be emailed to info@sounz.org.nz by 5pm on 1 May 2023
- The selection panel will consist of AWE Composer Mentor Salina Fisher, AWE Artistic Director Benjamin Baker and AWE Festival Director Justine Cormack
- A shortlist of candidates will be interviewed by video conference.
- 2022 Emerging Composer to be announced 15 May 2023
- Mentoring Period: 15 May – 20 October 2023
- Emerging Composer new work to be submitted by 1 September 2023
- Attendance at the 2023 AWE Festival is required between 10 – 20 October 2023
Supported by:
AWE | At the World’s Edge Festival
www.worldsedgefestival.com
info@worldsedgefestival.com
