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TWO ZAVOD CLASSICAL-JAZZ FUSION AWARDS AVAILABLE

Applications are called from full-time music students at any recognized Australian tertiary institution for the Zavod Classical/Jazz Fusion Award - founded by noted Australian pianist/composer Allan Zavod. To be eligible, applicants must have been resident in Australia for two years. The Faculty cannot undertake to return scores.

The Composition Award was created in 2002 by Dr Allan Zavod DMus(Melb) in collaboration with University of Melbourne - dedicated to the memory of his old friend Noel Castan (supported by his widow Anita Castan). It is now generously supported by Dr Alan Finkel (AC FAA FTSE FAHMS). The Alan and Lizzie Finkel foundation have made an endowment to the Uni of Melb which will enable the Dr Allan Zavod Compostion Award to remain in perpetuity. Nominations are made by the Head of discipline in consultation with academic staff. The Dean will approve the recipients. The award prize is $5,000. Applicants must submit a short score (min 7 minutes), and the winner is expected to orchestrate the work for possible performance at the University of Melbourne. Go to the Composers Award page for more details.

The Performance Award was created in 2010 by Dr Allan Zavod DMus(Melb). Originally with the support of Patron Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE, it is now generously supported by Mr Noel O'Brien and Mr Brendan O'Brien. Monash University administers the Award. The award prize is $6,000 ($5k for first prize, and $1k for runner-up). Performers submit their performance of a classical-jazz fusion composition - The composition should reflect elements of both jazz and classical styles. The maximum performance time is 15 mins. The winner and runner-up are expected to orchestrate their work for possible performance at Monash University. Go to the Performers Award page for more details.

CREATIVE FUSION

(Article about the start of the Performers Award)

Monash University Magazine June 25, 2010 issue

One of Australia's most venerable arts patrons has put her support behind a new music award that fosters the creative fusion of classical and jazz genres.

"When leading Melbourne musician and composer Dr Allan Zavod heard that Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was a fan of the classical-jazz form, he picked up the phone to ask her whether she would sponsor a new award for emerging performers of this musical melting pot.

No doubt inspired by her own passion for classical music of all shades, Dame Elisabeth was enthusiastic about the idea.

And so the two music lovers joined forces to launch the inaugural national Zavod Classical-Jazz Fusion Performers Award, which will be administered by Monash University through the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Foundation.

The award is open to tertiary music students around the country. Dr Zavod said entrants are required to submit a work, not necessarily by themselves, which demonstrates a true fusion of the classical and jazz genres.

Three finalists will be chosen to perform at Monash University's Music in the Round event, and the winner will perform an encore in Robert Blackwood Hall.

As one of Australia's pioneers in a compositional style that combines classical and jazz genres, where musicians from both worlds share the same concert platform equally, Dr Zavod is excited about the award.

'I am very enthusiastic about these awards for young tertiary students throughout Australia, who struggle without much financial assistance,' Dr Zavod said.

'And it creates added challenges to tertiary music students in their performing and composing experience at university.'

A FEW WORDS FROM ZAVOD ABOUT THE INAUGURAL (COMPOSER) AWARD 2002

"We received applications from all over Australia. It was very pleasing to see such a large response. Many of the entries displayed real promise and great potential in effectively bringing together these two styles within one work. The submissions were very diversified with regard to ensemble, ranging from chamber to symphonic proportions. Congratulations to the inaugural recipient Andrian Pertout a Masters student at Melbourne University, and sincere thanks to Professor Bebbington and Ms. Anita Castan. Good luck to the 2003 entrants"

INAUGURAL AWARD 2002 COMPOSER PRESENTATION