The recipients of the 2025 Merlyn Myer Music Commission and a brand new composer commissioning initiative have been announced by Melbourne Recital Centre – and, for the Merlyn Myer commission, two composers have been awarded for the first time.

Composers Alice Chance and Chloe Kim will receive the $12,000 commissioning fund to collaborate on a new work for Syzygy Ensemble for piano, violin, cello, flute and clarinet, to be premiered on 1 October in the Primrose Potter Salon.

Both composers will get the opportunity to workshop with with ensemble, and MRC will also foot the bill of presenting and recording the works.

Alice Chance and Chloe Kim. Photo supplied

“It is a huge honour to be a recipient of the Merlyn Myer Commission and to have the opportunity to collaborate with artists I deeply respect,” said Chance. “Chloe and I have cooked up a project involving improvisation and joy-led composition methods from our unique musical backgrounds to create a work that reflects on how we might distill joy in music.”

Kim added, “One of life’s greatest blessings is being a full-time musician. To now embark on a new work with...