The University of New South Wales has today announced that Brisbane-based composer and conductor John Rotar has been awarded the 2022-23 Willgoss Choral Composition Prize.

John Rotar. Photo supplied.

Rotar will receive a cash prize of $3,000, as well as the opportunity to have his winning work, Songs about birds, forests, flowers and mountains, performed by UNSW’s own chamber choir, Corde, in October 2023.

“I am so honoured and thrilled to be the recipient of the Willgoss Choral Composition Prize and I cannot wait to hear my work come to life with the stellar voices of Corde,” said Rotar. “I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Richard Willgoss and Sue Willgoss for their ongoing support of this incredible competition.”

“Competitions like this are not only vital to the career path of young composers like myself, but are also an indispensable part of ensuring the future vibrance and health of new Australian choral music.”

The current Artistic Director and conductor of The Australian Voices, Rotar has had over 130 works commissioned, recorded and performed across...