Alex Campbell-Hunt (25) and Corwin Newall (21) are among nine finalists from around New Zealand selected to travel to Wellington on November 24, to have their composition workshopped, rehearsed and performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and recorded by Radio New Zealand Concert.
The award, now in its ninth year, is open to composers aged 25 and under, and provides a unique opportunity for them to be mentored by, and work with, esteemed New Zealand composers and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
This year, participants will be mentored by New Zealand composer and University of Otago composition senior lecturer Associate Prof Anthony Ritchie, whose work is regularly performed in New Zealand and abroad.
Mr Newall's selection for the award is not his first.
The third-year University of Otago composition student has been selected as a finalist almost every year since 2006, and has already had many of his orchestral works recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
For Mr Campbell-Hunt, this will be the second time he has been selected as a finalist.
''It's a real privilege to have your music played and recorded by such a highly regarded orchestra, and to meet some of the performers,'' he said.
''It can be a scary and intimidating experience and I was quite nervous the last time I attended, but it's a very valuable experience as well,'' he said.
Mr Campbell-Hunt is a former University of Otago bachelor of music honours graduate and has just completed a master's in composition at the University of Edinburgh.
He is about to begin a PhD in composition in Edinburgh.
One of the nine finalists will be named the Todd Corp Young Composer of the Year and awarded a cash prize of $750.
