Alumnus Rafael Hosking – finalist for the Todd Young Composers Award.

Since graduating Springs in 2021, I have been studying at Te Kōkī, New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University. I had rather varied interests during my time at Ngā Puna o Waiōrea so choosing a single subject to major in was difficult. That being said, the support and encouragement of both Margaret and Dan throughout my time at Springs made pursuing a Bachelor of Music a very natural decision. I often think back to the music I was introduced to in high school and how instrumental it has been to my projects as a composer and performer.

While moving to Te Whanganui-a-Tara was partly about getting away from Auckland, it is both reassuring and inspiring to see so many other faces from Ngā Puna o Waiōrea killing it in the Welly music scene. I have been fortunate to play alongside the likes of Harrison Scholes, and Jasper Renner-Allen, as well as witness the beautiful music produced by James MacEwan and Lilith Ercolano. It is easy to see the invaluable contribution that Margaret and the WSC music community have made to Aotearoa’s arts.

Being named as a finalist for the Todd Young Composers Award is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity while being conscious that it takes a great deal of privilege to be in a position for my work to be put in front of such a prestigious orchestra. I hope that many more students of Western Springs College will continue to find similar inspiration, meaning, and connection with contemporary orchestral music.

A little about the NZSO Todd Young Composer Awards.
Now in its 20th year, the NZSO Todd Young Composer Awards are a unique opportunity for young New Zealand composers to have their compositions workshopped and performed by the NZSO, as well as recorded by RNZ Concert.  Two expert composer mentors are selected to support up to eight young composers through the process to ensure the highest level of success. The piece of music will be performed by the NZSO and led by Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich.

The winner will receive the NZSO Todd Young Composer Award and a cash prize of $1000. The composer with the most votes from the NZSO players will receive the Orchestra’s Choice Award and a cash prize of $500.  All finalists have their piece played at the Michael Fowler Centre by the NZSO!