Best and brightest to mentor aspiring composers

Four postgraduate research students have been invited to participate in the 2018-2019 Composing Women program. Peggy Polias (Doctor of Musical Arts), Bree van Reyk (Master of Music), Georgia Scott (Master of Music) and Josephine Macken (Master of Music) will be mentored by Professor Liza Lim, as well as members of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s outstanding composition unit. Peggy Polias and Bree van Reyk have been awarded Research Training Program scholarships from the Australian Government, while Georgia Scott and Josephine Macken receive a Conservatorium scholarship of $10,000.

"Diversity is the lifeblood of a strong culture," Professor Lim says. "The Conservatorium’s program is about fostering cultural vibrancy by elevating the work of women composers through some fantastic professional opportunities. I’m thrilled to welcome this new cohort of composers each of whom brings a distinctive artistic approach to their work."

The students will have opportunities to work closely with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Chamber Opera (in collaboration with the National Institute of Dramatic Art) and internationally acclaimed flautist Claire Chase, as well as develop their own projects. Participants' compositions will be workshopped and performed across the two-year period. Professional development also forms part of the program, with mentoring in administrative and production skills provided by organisations including Musica Viva Australia, music rights organisation APRA AMCOS, the Australian Music Centre and ABC Classic FM.

This two-year development program for women in composition was established by the Conservatorium's Deputy Dean, Professor Matthew Hindson AM, and launched in 2016. Participants in the inaugural program worked with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Goldner String Quartet and percussionist Claire Edwardes.

This program is made possible with the generous assistance of our partners and through the patrons of the Composing Women Program.