Sydney Philharmonia Choirs has announced the recipients of its inaugural Conducting Fellowships and Emerging Composer Awards, recognising four rising stars in Australian choral music.

Ezra Hersch and Michael Bradshaw. Photos supplied

Sydney-based conductors Ezra Hersch and Michael Bradshaw have been named as the first Conducting Fellows. Over the next year, each will gain hands-on experience working on four choral and orchestral productions and benefit from mentorship by leading industry figures, including members of the Choirs’ artistic team.

Meanwhile, composers Kayla Hinton (from Adelaide) and Phillip Cullen (currently studying in Helsinki) have been selected for the Emerging Composer Awards. As part of the program, each will compose a new choral-orchestral work to be premiered at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall by the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ Chamber Singers and Orchestra. The award also includes mentoring and opportunities to workshop their pieces in live rehearsals.

Phillip Cullen and Kayla Hinton. Photos supplied

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Chief Executive Officer Matthew Beale highlighted the significance of these new initiatives. “As Australia’s leading choral performance company, and one...