The winners of the 2026 Art Music Awards have been announced at a ceremony (19 August) hosted at Melbourne’s Timber Yard.

Hosted by Namila Benson with guest presenters Connor D’Netto and Aura Go, the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australian composers, performers, improvisers and organisations across classical music, jazz, sound art and experimental music.

This year’s Awards marks the 100th anniversary of APRA AMCOS, who co-presents the ceremony alongside the Australian Music Centre.

Work of the Year

For the Work of the Year: Choral award, Paul Stanhope takes home his fifth gong for Mahāsāgar. Composed for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the work explores the the ocean and its capacity for “danger, sorrow, wonder and healing” and sets poetry from Australian writers.

Alex Turley and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Photo © Craig Abercrombie

Alex Turley has earned his first Art Music Award, taking home Work of the Year: Large Ensemble for the ocean’s dream of itself, for mezzo-soprano and orchestra. Setting poems from West Australian writers to music, the work premiered at Wyoming’s Grand Teton Music Festival in 2025 (Turley talks about it here) and will have...