The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra was the recipient of the inaugural Luminary Award for an Organisation at the APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards, which took place last night.
Awarded for long-term commitment offering professional development for Australian composers and musicians, as well as promoting gender equity through opportunities for female conductors, the TSO was recognised for Australian Composer’s School, Australian Conducting Academy, and professional development opportunities for Australian Classical musicians
In 2020, APRA AMCOS introduced a new category into its Art Music Awards, designed to celebrate those who using music to make an impact on their community. The category is called the Luminary Awards – and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is the first-ever organisation to be named a national winner.
“I am thrilled that the TSO has been recognised for its efforts to train and support students, early career artists, and future generations of composers, conductors, and performers,” TSO Learning and Engagement Executive Jenny Compton said of the win.
“It takes a village to roll out all the programs and projects that the TSO provides – and the Luminary Award reflects the efforts of everyone working at the TSO, as well as the efforts of our many local and national training partners who are both organisations and individuals.”
The award specifically honours community impact achieved through “visionary leadership, fearless trailblazing, and engagement with their Australian art music repertoire” – all evidenced in the orchestra’s years of art music education and presentation.
“The TSO’s future is directly influenced by what it provides today,” said Compton. “By investing in future generations of composers, conductors and performers, the TSO is constantly strengthening its foundation and nurturing its own exciting artistic future, and the future of Australian artists and arts organisations as well.”
There was also a gong for the Large Ensemble Work of the Year, where a joint winner was Flinders and Trim composed by Maria Grenfell and performed by Tasmania Symphony Orchestra with Eivind Aadland as conductor.
At an individual level in the Luminary Award, Michael Kieran Harvey won the Tasmanian award for supporting the state’s new music community through teaching, performance and recording.
All winners and finalists of the 2020 Art Music Awards are published on the APRA AMCOS website.
