AWE Emerging Composer Mentorship

With New Zealand music woven into the very seams of the AWE Festival, each year a young NZ composer is selected to receive personalised mentoring to write a new work for premiere within the festival.

Selected through a nationwide application process each selected AWE Emerging Composer receives mentoring over the five-month period prior to the October festival, supported to write a string chamber work of approximately 5 minutes in length to be premiered within the festival and performed within multiple school performances in the festival region.

The Emerging Composer takes up residence at the AWE Festival, attending performances, working with the musicians in rehearsal of their composition (supported by the AWE Composer in Residence) and introducing their work within the performances.

From our previous AWE Emerging Composers:

“AWE has certainly been the highlight of my music career to date. The mentoring I received from such an esteemed composer has helped me grow as a musician. Seeing emerging and professional artists come together to create music has made AWE such an inspiring and unique festival, and I feel so privileged to have had this incredible experience. I will cherish the memories made. I am excited to see AWE continue to grow, and to all young composers, I encourage you to apply for this opportunity. 

  • Estella Wallace, AWE 2024 Emerging Composer (pictured above after the premiere performance of Lonely Peaks for string quartet within AWE 2024).

“Attending AWE 2023 has been - and will always remain - one of the most inspiring and exhilarating experiences of my music career. I feel so privileged to have spent time learning from, rehearsing with, and making memories alongside the Festival Artists, Emerging Artists, Composer-In-Residence and Mentoring Composer in one of the most beautiful parts of Aotearoa (and, indeed, the world). I sincerely hope AWE continues to flourish each year, and I wholeheartedly encourage any young artist or composer to apply for this incredible experience.”

  • Georgina Palmer, AWE 2023 Emerging Composer.

"AWE was a life-changing experience for me, due to the amount of support, encouragement, friendship, and freely given knowledge that all at the festival gave. It feels like a second family, one where we can express ourselves through art - something unique and special to this festival.

Being mentored and conversing with not one, but two of our greatest New Zealand composers was something quite extraordinary and I will carry these experiences and friendships with me for life."

  • Eva Bedggood, AWE 2022 Emerging Composer

AWE 2025 Emerging Composer Competition and Mentorship

Applications close 1 May 2025, 5pm

We are now seeking a young New Zealand composer to be our AWE 2025 Emerging Composer.

Open to composers 23 years or younger, the 2025 AWE Emerging Composer will receive mentoring from composer John Psathas to write a new string chamber work for premiere within the AWE 2025 Festival, and will take up residence at the festival from 5-17 October 2025.

Selected through a nationwide application process in May 2025, the successful applicant will receive mentoring from AWE Festival 2025 Composer in Residence John Psathas, over the five-month period prior to the October 2025 festival, supported to write a string chamber work of approximately 5 minutes in length. The work will be premiered within the AWE 2025 Festival and performed within multiple school performances within the festival region.

During the residency, the AWE Emerging Composer will attend performances, work with musicians in the rehearsals of their composition (supported by the Composer in Residence) and introduce their work in performances.

All travel and accommodation costs for the festival attendance in Queenstown and Wānaka will be covered by the AWE Festival. Evening meals will be provided, in addition to a daily per diem for general expenses.

Thank you to SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music for their competition administration support.

Emerging Composer Georgina Palmer introduces the premiere performance of Maramataka for violin, cello and horn during AWE Festival 2023 - performed by Emerging Musicians Lorna Zhang and Damon Herlihy-O’Brien, with Festival Artist Ben Goldsheider.