SLAM campaigners and playwright Lally Katz also share in $150,000 fund.

The Australian Brandenberg Orchestra have been named as the winner of the Group Award at this year’s Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards, announced yesterday by the Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund, Carrillo Gantner AO. The annual national award is made in recognition of significant achievements within the arts but also considers the future potential of a group or individual artist to make valuable contributions to Australian society through the performing arts.

The period instrument ensemble, which is based in Sydney, will receive $80,000. Bruce Applebaum, the co-founder of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra along with Musical Director Paul Dyer, said the award was “a wonderful way to start the year. We’re all feeling very buoyant here.”  While the organisation is still deciding how to use the award, Applebaum said that at least some of it would go towards increasing the ABO’s presence in Victoria. “We’re very keen to build upon the success we’ve had in that state. This year we’ve seen 90% of our subscribers renew in Melbourne, which has been a fantastic response to the performances we gave as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations last...