Merlyn Myer Music Commission 2023

Melbourne Recital Centre is pleased to announce the fifth Merlyn Myer Music Commission. Established in memory of Dame Merlyn Myer (1900-1982), the initiative was founded to support a female composer in Australia to compose and present the premiere performance a new musical work.

Previous winners of the Merlyn Myer Music Commission include Sally Greenaway in 2015, Andrea Keller in 2017, Deborah Cheetham AO in 2019, and Nat Bartsch in 2021.

In 2023, the Merlyn Myer Music Commission will support an Australian female composer to create a new musical work. The commission will offer significant creative freedom to the selected composer, encouraging her to foster her artistic development through an opportunity for her new work to be performed, heard, and recorded in an outstanding performance setting at Melbourne Recital Centre. The commission includes $12,000 cash and Melbourne Recital Centre will cover all costs associated with the presentation and documentation of the performance. The Merlyn Myer Music Commission is generously supported by The Aranday Foundation and The Yulgilbar Foundation.

The selected composer will be invited to write a musical work of any genre, up to 30 minutes in length. The instrumentation of work may be of the composer’s choosing, for up to eight players. The work may be performed by the composer’s choice of an established ensemble or her selection of artists. Melbourne Recital Centre may be able to facilitate introductions as appropriate. The premiere performance will take place in the Primrose Potter Salon on a date in 2023 to be mutually agreed by the composer, performers and venue. A recording of the performance will be made and will be published on the Centre’s YouTube channel.

The composer is to use the commission to pay herself for her composition and to make scores, while Melbourne Recital Centre will cover the costs for the performers including rehearsals and performance. Travel costs will be provided for the composer if applicable, opening the commission up to female composers living and working anywhere in Australia. It’s expected that the composer and performers will support student engagement through students’ attendance at a rehearsal or a workshop session during the period of the project.

This commission opportunity is open to all Australian female composers. The winning composer will be selected by a panel including representatives of Melbourne Recital Centre, the Myer family, and industry experts. Expressions of interest are sought from eligible applicants by Wednesday 30 November 2022 11.59pm (AEST).

‘Whether for existing repertoire or for new works, the enthusiasm for musicians, composers and audiences to come together again to share performances has never been greater. However, there is something quite magically ‘extra’ about a piece of work born in this moment when the world is adjusting to what feels like a new axis. The Merlyn Myer Music Commission is intended as an opportunity for a female composer to seize this juncture and develop a stimulating new work.’ Annabel and Rupert Myer

Key Dates

Application now closed.
Candidates notified of application outcome: February 2023
Premiere performance in the Primrose Potter Salon: November 2023 (Date TBC)

Expressions of Interest Information

Applicants are asked to submit their biography (max 200 words), a statement about the proposed project (max 200 words), an idea of artists they would like to work with and confirmation that the artists would be open to committing to the project, links to recent music/video files, contact details, and an optional one-page PDF providing further information about the project.

Expressions of interest are sought from eligible applicants by Wednesday 30 November 2022 11.59pm (AEST).

Please direct any questions to Renee Dawes, Programming Coordinator, at renee.dawes@melbournerecital.com.au

The Merlyn Myer Music Commission is generously supported by The Aranday Foundation and The Yulgilbar Foundation.