The Awards are made on the basis of a composition competition organised by Music Department staff, with thanks to the continuing generosity of the Lilburn Trust administered through the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.

Please follow the links to view the winners from 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Lizzie Dobson Moruroa (flute, oboe, koauau, soprano, piano, violin)

Gabrielle Peake (piano), Heidi Ryter-Gardiner (violin), Sebastian Lowe (viola) and Sarah Lee (cello) with Three Expressions by Gabrielle Peake
Tania Park (piano) and Sarah Lee (cello) with Travel to Reminisence by Eun Shin

Hannah Gilmour Shadow (video)

Duhong Yin Days and Nights in China (video and electroacoustic score)
Cornelia Dahling Ara Hupana/Flight Path (video)


Susan Frykberg explained her adjudication process with the following words:
First, prior to the concert, I looked at the scores and videos and came to some preliminary understanding of each of the pieces. Then, during the concert, I evaluated them according to five criteria: Integrity, risk, sense of beginning, middle and end; technical proficiency and personal preference. Those that scored in all five categories - it was a binary scoring system - won. Those that scored in four and three categories received a merit.


Congratulations to all the composers and performers who participated in a fascinating and lively evening of new music. Thanks to guest adjudicator Susan Frykberg, and special thanks to the Lilburn Trust for continuing to make the Awards evening possible.