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.
Leila Harris wins Pride Prize for 2027!
A composer, songwriter, musician and producer, Leila creates evocative, cinematic sound worlds that blend classical and contemporary influences, championing diverse and experimental voices through music.The Homophonic! Pride Prize celebrates the creativity and achievement of queer-identifying composers from across Australia, pairing the winning composer with an acclaimed solo performer to create a brand-new work that premieres as part of Midsumma Festival.For 2027, Leila will collaborate with the extraordinary Niki Johnson a Sydney-based composer-performer and percussionist whose innovative practice spans sculptural percussion, contemporary classical music and performance art. Read the full announcement: midsumma.org.au/prideprize27
"I am so excited to work with homophonic and meet new creative and innovative composers and musicians! I love how homophonic champions new voices, and brings to the limelight incredible works. It is an honour to get to work with this organisation and be a part of their positive innovation and fresh breeze into contemporary classical music in Australia."
-Niki Johnson
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 percussion, one performer. The theme of the 2027 show is "JOY".
For: Vibraphone, with option for small percussion and/or fixed electronics.
The prize:
$2500 and performance at Homophonic! February 2027
3 workshopping sessions with Niki Johnson (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: 5th June
Applications close: 3rd July
Completed work delivered: November 8th (Negotiable)
Performance: February, 2027.
Panel:
Artistic Director, Soloist: Miranda Hill
Soloist: Niki Johnson
Percussionist and Educator: Rebecca Lloyd-Jones.
Pianist and composer: Ronan Apcar
Please note: The form is giving an error message with some browsers. If you can not access the form please try another browser. Alternately: download the questions here and email them to homophonicprideprize@gmail.com
Thank you.
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.
2024
To Echoes and Lines
Soprano and wearable midi controller
Written by Sophie Rose
Performed by Judith Dodsworth.
Finalist in the 2025 APRA/AMCOS Art Music Awards Work of the Year Electro-Acoustic.
2025
Mesophilic
Piano and electronics
Written by Ashleigh Hazel
Performed by Jacob Abela
2026
Shakey
Double Bass and fixed media
Written by Samuel Carrick
Performed by Miranda Hill