For those who love or work with Australian music, the annual Art Music Awards feel a little like Christmas. Presented in a ceremony by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre (AMC), they celebrate the excellence of Australian artists and educators across classical, jazz, improvisation and experimental music.

Acclaimed Australian composers Anne Cawrse, Elliott Gyger, Elena Kats-Chernin and Joe Twist are among this year’s finalists, as are the emerging voices of Jack Frerer, Yunyu Ong, John Rotar and Helen Svoboda, who are all first-time nominees.

Martin Buzacott, Véronique Serret, Aunty Delmae Barton, William Barton and Mick Roche at the 2023 Art Music Awards. Photo © Rhiannon Hopley

Australian musicians can win awards for Work of the Year across different genres; Performance of the Year in Notated Composition or Jazz/Improvised Music; and Awards for Excellence in music education, regional arts or experimental practice.

The awards also recognise individual, organisational and state-based contributions to the arts with Luminary Awards. The prestigious Richard Gill Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music, honouring a highly accomplished musician, is also presented at the ceremony....