Since its commencement in 2003, The Cybec Foundation has generously supported the MSO’s Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers’ Program.
Widely regarded as one of the nation’s pioneering and preeminent professional development opportunities for emerging Australian composers, the year-long program selects four participants who are individually mentored by a leading Australian composer and commissioned by the Orchestra to compose a 10-minute piece. The resulting four pieces are performed by the MSO in a public showcase event, following which, one participant is selected as the MSO’s Young Composer in Residence and commissioned to write further works.
Since its establishment in 2003, the program has seen more than 80 emerging composers from across Australia have works commissioned and performed by the MSO. All have continued onto widely diverse creative practices and the MSO has offered several subsequent commissions to graduates of the program.
Applications
Applications for the 2025 Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers’ Program are now open.
Applications are due by 11:59pm Sunday 2 February 2025.
Klearhos Murphy – 2025 Cybec Young Composer in Residence
Klearhos Murphy is a Greek-Australian composer who is currently studying a Master of Music (Research) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He has worked with national and international ensembles such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Perth Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Pops Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, and the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra.
Liza Lim – Lead Mentor and Artistic Advisor
Liza Lim is a composer, educator, and researcher whose music focusses on collaborative and transcultural practices.
Widely commissioned by some of the world’s pre-eminent orchestras and ensembles, Lim is Professor of Composition and Sculthorpe Chair of Australian Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2023 King’s Birthday honours for her contribution to Australian music.
