Midsumma Presents: The Homophonic! Pride Prize!
Composition Competition for LGBTIQ+ identified Australian Composers.
Launched in 2019 with the support of Andrew Boyle, the Homophonic! Pride Prize is a unique opportunity for LGBTIQ+ Australian Composers to work with amazing soloists to create a new work to be performed at Homophonic! as part of the Midsumma Festival.
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2024's award is to write for Soprano Judith Dodsworth, long-term friend of Homophonic!, presenting the unforgettable performances in Moya Henderson's "Stubble" and Thomas Adès' "Life Story". Her commitment to new music has earned her a reputation in Australia and abroad as one of Australia’s leading exponents of contemporary classical vocal music.
The winner of the award in 2024 is Sophie Rose, with a new work inspired by the act of aging as queer women being an 'act of joyful rebellion'. Premiere date at La Mama Theatre as part of the Midsumma Festival
Generously supported by the Midsumma Festival, the winning composer is awarded $2500, and guaranteed performance and live video of performance.
Homophonic! pays respect to battles hard won, voices that have been
marginalised or silenced or only partially heard – all of that is acknowledged, our shared
histories are brought out into the light and given voice. And not only are they given voice
but they are celebrated in a united and joyous way.
Pride Prize is a forum for these compositional voices to speak their truth and tell their
stories, and I am thrilled to be the conduit for these stories this year.
I am inspired by stories, words, language – literal or abstract, sound, colour, gesture,
challenging boundaries and taking risks. I love movement and stillness, colour and the
spaces in between.
Every work that is proposed is born of someone’s story and
is valid and important, and I am excited to meet you all.
Judith Dodsworth
To apply
All Australian composers who identify as LGBTIQ+ are encouraged to apply.
There are no age limits, career stages, or entry fees.
The work:
7-10 minutes for soprano, one performer.
For: Voice alone; Voice + tape/fixed media; or Voice + handheld percussion
Text: Feminist themed writings.
The prize:
$2500 and performance at Homophonic! February 2024
3 workshopping sessions with Judith Dodsworth (in person or online)
Tickets to the premiere, (no flights or accomodation can be provided)
Live video and audio from the performance.
Dates:
Applications open: July 3rd
Applications close: August 3rd
Completed work delivered: December 20th (Negotiable)
Performance: 8-10th February, 2024. La Mama Courthouse Theatre.
Panel:
Artistic Director: Miranda Hill
Soloist: Judith Dodsworth
Artistic Director, The Consort of Melbourne: Steven Hodgson
Flautist and director of Syzygy Ensemble: Laila Engle.
Composer: Fiona Hill
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2020
Star PIcc*
Solo piccolo, bass drum, and vocoder.
Written by Stephen de Filippo
Performed by Laila Engle.
2021
Depth Disintegration
Double Belled Bass Trombone and fixed media.
Written by Shoeb Ahmad
Performed by Benjamin Anderson
Winner of ElectroAcoustic Work of the Year at the 2022 APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards.
2022
Dream State;
Solo violin.
Written by Jaslyn Robertson
Performed by Kyla Matsuura-Miller
2023
Invs Belmn
Solo Oboe and fixed Media
Written by James Rushford
Performed by Ben Opie.