Triple Distinction for Finalists

Triple Distinction for Finalists

2007 SOUNZ Contemporary Award Finalists Announced

Each of the three works selected as finalists for the 2007 SOUNZ Contemporary Award have a particular claim to fame. One was composed by a top civil servant, another has already been enjoyed by thousands of New Zealanders and the third has been penned by a composer represented in previous SOUNZ Contemporary Awards more often than any other.

Anthem on the Kaipara for string orchestra by Christopher Blake is the third of a series of four works inspired by a photographic essay from the late Robin Morrison. Premiered earlier this year by the strings of the Auckland Philharmonia the work charts a physical and emotional journey across generations. Blake, who has held a number of posts in NZ arts management, was also the foundation Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Ministry of Culture and Heritage, head of the National Library of New Zealand and is currently Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs.

These Arms To Hold You for children’s choir and orchestra by Eve de Castro-Robinson with text by Bill Manhire was commissioned by New Zealand Plunket to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this iconic organisation’s foundation by Sir Truby King. The work premiered in May by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Lyrica Choir from Kelburn Normal School later toured to five main centres in New Zealand where it won critical and popular acclaim. As the selection jury commented: “This work had moments of magic. It was fresh, lively and vibrant and full of the uninhibited joy of youth.”

The Sleep of Reason… for chamber sextet by Ross Harris is the sixth work that this composer has had in the SOUNZ Contemporary Awards. He won the 2000, 2005 and 2006 Awards, was a finalist in 2004 and received a special commendation in 2003. Ross is currently the New Zealand School of Music Composer in Residence after two years as the Composer in Residence for the Auckland Philharmonia. The Sleep of Reason… was premiered by contemporary ensemble 175 East in May this year.

The SOUNZ Contemporary Award is a collaborative project of both SOUNZ, the Centre for New Zealand Music and APRA, the Australasian Performing Right Association. The SOUNZ Contemporary Award recognises creativity and inspiration in composition by a New Zealander and consists of a $3000 prize and a trophy designed and made by Auckland sculptor Sarah Smuts Kennedy.

“The jury were impressed by both the diversity and emotional range shown among the 28 works submitted this year,” said Scilla Askew, Executive Director of SOUNZ. “From pieces for solo instruments such as flute and pipe organ through to full orchestra with taonga puoro, these works demonstrate a wonderful cross section of recent music by New Zealand composers.”

The winner of the SOUNZ Contemporary Award will be announced at a special APRA-hosted event in Auckland on Tuesday, 18 September along with the winners of the 2007 Maioha and 2007 APRA Silver Scroll Awards.

The finalists for the 2007 Maioha Award, presented for the best Te Reo Maori song of the year, are:
Andrea Tunks and Pierre Tohe for Aio;
Mika (with The Plastic Maori Band) for Poti;
Marian Mare for Tenei Tamaiti .

The finalists for the 2007 APRA Silver Scroll, New Zealand’s most prestigious songwriter award, are:
Sean Donnelly (SJD) for Beautiful Haze;
Ruban Neilson (The Mint Chicks) for Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!;
Jason Kerrison, Bobby Kennedy, Matt Treacy and Clinton Harris (Opshop) for Maybe;
Brooke Fraser for Albertine;
Liam Finn for Second Chance.

ENDS

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