Final placings Compose Aotearoa! NZ 2020

A big THANK YOU to all composers entering their wonderful new works into our inaugural competition. Adjudicators were CANZ Artistic Director Dr Karen Grylls, NZ Youth Choir Music Director David Squire, and renowned New Zealand composer David Hamilton.

Winner of additional prize and Composer in Residence – Rosa Elliott

“It is a great pleasure and honour to have been selected as a category winner and Composer in Residence for Choirs NZ in the first year of the Compose Aotearoa competition. As a lover of New Zealand choral music, it has long since been a dream of mine to work with our national choirs. I am very much looking forward to developing my compositional practice alongside these exceptional choirs and thrilled that it will become an annual opportunity for NZ composers.” – Rosa

Open Category

Winner: Matariki by Chris Artley. Text by Michelanne Forster

Highly Commended
Laden Earth by Pepe Becker
A Night Thought by Julia Francis

25 and Under Category

Winner: SEAS UNEXPLORED by Rosa Elliott

Seas Unexplored references New Brighton Beach and was inspired by the fact that 95% of the ocean is yet to be explored, “an enormous mystery of untouched waters”

Highly Commended
Nunc Dimittis by Jessie Leov
Tears of Light by Camryn Nel
The Giraffe and The Pelly and Me by Emily Gambrill
A Music Everywhere by Georgina Palmer

Waiata Tira Category

Winner: Takoto mai rā by Reuben Rameka

“Takoto mai rā (meaning ‘Lie there) is dedicated to my grandfather, who passed away in 2016. In his final moments, he requested to be transported back to his home to breathe his last breath. I was in the room when he passed, along with many other whānau members. There was a singular moment when we all knew he had passed and for me, it was like I could see his spirit leave his body.”