Applications are now open for the Sydney Symphony’s 2010 Sinfonietta Project which gives promising high school music students the opportunity to have their compositions performed by musicians from the Sydney Symphony.
2010 entrants are required to submit an original composition for mezzo-soprano and a combination of selected orchestral instruments. Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Education Program, Richard Gill, will review the entries with an expert panel. Selected finalists will be flown to Sydney for an intensive workshop period with Gill and musicians from the Sydney Symphony.
“There is a wealth of musical talent in Australia that must be nurtured. This program is a unique and valuable opportunity for young composers to really challenge themselves,” says Gill. “With music education being given less and less national attention, programs like this are a becoming increasingly important.”
2009 participant 17-year-old Phil Jameson said he was “extremely excited” to take part in the project, which has led to two of his works being performed by the Sydney Symphony. “It is a privilege and a joy to work so closely with minds that share your passion,” says Phil. “Sinfonietta provides a unique opportunity to share ideas and methods with kindred spirits.”
The Sydney Symphony Sinfonietta Project was initiated in 2006 as a NSW-based competition and is now open to students from all over Australia. The project is part of the Sydney Symphony’s award winning education program, and received an APRA/AMCOS Award nomination for most outstanding contribution to Australian music in education in 2007 & 2008. It has launched composing careers for several new Australian talents and provided a valuable link to professional musicians.
For further information on the 2010 Sinfonietta Project, visit, www.sydneysymphony.com/sinfonietta which provides interactive resources for teachers and students and guidelines for entering the competition. All secondary students are welcome at the open workshop on the 4 November, at the ABC Centre, Ultimo, where they will be able to witness their peer’s compositions being rehearsed and performed.
A free teaching kit which explains the model work, Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire is also available from the Sydney Symphony on (02) 8215 4652.
For more information on how to submit compositions, call (02) 8215 4652 or email
Entries close 24 September 2010.