The Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE) has announced the composers chosen for its inaugural Illuminated NOW! Emerging Composers Program.

Tullia Cairns, Tim Jayatilaka, Charlotte Leamon, Emma Olsen and Adriel Sukumar will participate in a “hands-on, collaborative experience” with the AHE, and have the opportunity to develop a new work with the ensemble with a $1,000 commissioning fee.

Selected works will also be performed for the AHE’s Alchemy Emerging Artist Program in both Sydney and regional NSW.

(Top, L-R) Adriel Sukumar, Charlotte Leamon. (Bottom, L-R) Emma Olsen, Tim Jayatilaka, Tullia Cairns. Photos courtesy of Australian Haydn Ensemble

“I am thrilled to be part of the Illuminated NOW! program with the Australian Haydn Ensemble,” said Leamon.

“This is a rare and exciting opportunity to deeply explore the intersection of historical performance and contemporary composition in a richly collaborative environment.”

The inaugural cohort participates in information sessions and workshops to learn about Baroque and Classical period instruments including the fortepiano, the traverso, the natural horn, period-specific oboes and bassoon and string instruments using gut strings.

The workshops also include training on 18th-century compositional practices practical for modern writing.