Melbourne's vibrant music scene reached a crescendo today with the announcement of the winners of the Melbourne Prize for Music 2025 & Awards, one of Australia's most prestigious and valuable music awards.
SHANE HOWARD AM, acclaimed singer-songwriter, has been awarded the $60,000 MELBOURNE PRIZE FOR MUSIC 2025 for his body of work and outstanding contribution to Australian music and cultural life. This award is proudly supported by Major Patron The Vera Moore Foundation and The Tallis Foundation.
Congratulations to the runner-up finalists DEBORAH CONWAY AM singer, songwriter and guitarist, NICOLETTE FRAILLON AM conductor and EMMA DONOVAN singer and songwriter. All finalists in the Melbourne Prize for Music 2025 will receive $1,000 each, supported by Fed Square.
VANESSA PERICA, composer, arranger and conductor, has been awarded the $20,000 BELEURA JOHN TALLIS AWARD FOR EMERGING COMPOSERS 2025 awarded to an emerging Victorian composer to support their career development. Supported by The Tallis Foundation, in memory of John Tallis (1911-1996).
CHARLOTTE MILES, cellist, receives the $10,000 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD 2025 awarded to a Victorian musician or group, including performers and composers, to fund project/s, travel or other proposals to assist with their music career. Supported by Dr Alastair Jackson AM.
ISOBEL CALDWELL, singer and songwriter and CAROLYN SCHOFIELD, synthesist and composer win the FALLS CREEK MUSICIANS' RESIDENCIES 2025, offering two 14-day residencies in Victoria's High Country, plus $1,000 each, supported by the Melbourne Prize Trust.
DEBORAH CONWAY AM wins the $2,000 CIVIC CHOICE AWARD 2025 awarded to the finalist in the Melbourne Prize for Music 2025 with the highest number of public votes.
This year's judging panel includes three respected figures in the Australian music sector – singer, songwriter, and former Melbourne Prize for Music recipient Missy Higgins, conductor Benjamin Northey and musician and arts advocate Genevieve Lacey.
Judge's statement: The applications for the Melbourne Prize for Music 2025 form a collection of profound commitment, expression, and contribution to music in Australia. From those who have given a lifetime to their art form, through to those just beginning their journey in music, one thing is obvious, that Victoria is enriched by an absolutely incredible community of musicians and creative artists. It was a deeply moving experience to read all of the applications. Selecting recipients for prizes was no easy task, as there were many deserving submissions. We would like to congratulate all artists who have expressed interest in the annual Melbourne Prize this year, your work is seen, valued and deeply appreciated. These awards are testament to the remarkable ecosystem of music in Victoria, thanks to the many personal and public investments in music education, access and participation, over decades. Let's individually and collectively continue to prioritise, participate in and support music. And to all those musicians who applied, please continue with your music, continue to express your creativity, and continue to change the world through music.
A Finalist Exhibit for the 2025 prize has been on display at the main stairs at Fed Square since 30 October.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the Melbourne Prize Trust operates, the People of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respects to the elders, past, present and future.
Melbourne Prize Trust Founder and Executive Director, Simon Warrender, said: We have had a record number of entrants this year and I want to thank all entrants and finalists and congratulate the category recipients. This year has been made possible by the generosity of all our partners and patrons – thank you one and all.
Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks said: Melbourne is the cultural capital of the nation, and we are proud to support the Melbourne Prize for Music & Awards, honouring Victorian musicians who have made an extraordinary contribution to our music culture.
Melbourne Lord Mayor, Nicholas Reece said: The City of Melbourne congratulates the finalists and winners of this year's Melbourne Prize for Music. Tonight, in the music capital of Australia, we celebrate the music community and its contribution to the cultural fabric of our great city. I would also like to acknowledge the judges - what an amazing and difficult job it must have been!
