2019 ART Music Awards heads to new Sydney venue

APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre (AMC) have announced the 2019 ART Music Awards will be held in Sydney.

The University Of Sydney's Great Hall will host the ceremony, dedicated to the achievements of Australia’s outstanding talent in the fields of composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian art music.

The ART Music Awards are Australia's only event to specifically celebrate Australia’s contemporary classical music, contemporary jazz and improvised music, experimental music and sound art.

As well as announcing awards in 11 national categories, and one for each state and territory, the night will see APRA's Board of Directors present the newly named Richard Gill Award for
Distinguished Services to Australian Music.

The award is named for the late Gill, whose passion and advocacy has seen him become a prominent spokesperson for music as a tool crucial in the development of children, people and the wider
community.

Previous recipients of the award include Robyn Holmes, John Pochée, Helen Gifford, Larry Sitsky, and the late composer Peter Sculthorpe.

“Our art music community grows more dynamic and more diverse year after year, and we believe it was time for the Art Music Awards to reflect this change," said AMC CEO John Davis.'

"The magnificent Great Hall at Sydney University is imbued with a beautiful sense of history and prestige, so we felt it was appropriate to liberate our audience from the pews to better experience the evening’s fabulous live performance program, and to participate in this unique celebration of our rich art form.”

A live performance program on the night will be curated by pianist and composer Barney McAll, while actor, author and satirist Jonathan Biggins returns as host.

The following categories will be recognised:

• Orchestral Work of the Year
• Instrumental Work of the Year
• Vocal / Choral Work of the Year
• Jazz Work of the Year
• Performance of the Year
• Award for Excellence by an Organisation
• Award for Excellence by an Individual
• Award for Excellence in Music Education
• Award for Excellence in a Regional Area
• Award for Excellence in Experimental Music (for works, people or events)
• Award for Excellence in Jazz (for works, people or events)

The 2019 Art Music Awards take place on Monday, August 19 from 5:45pm at Sydney University's Great Hall.