Creative fusion

June 2010

One of Australia’s most venerable arts patrons has put her support behind a new music award that fosters the creative fusion of classical and jazz genres.

When leading Melbourne musician and composer Dr Allan Zavod heard Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE was a fan of classical jazz, he picked up the phone and asked her whether she would sponsor a new award for emerging performers.

No doubt inspired by her own passion for classical music of all shades, Dame Elisabeth was enthusiastic about the idea. And so the two music lovers joined forces to launch the inaugural national Zavod Classical-Jazz Fusion Performers Award, which will be administered by Monash University through the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Foundation.

The award is open to tertiary music students around the country. Dr Zavod said entrants were required to submit a work, not necessarily by themselves, which demonstrated a true fusion of the classical and jazz genres.

Three finalists will be chosen to perform at Monash University’s Music in the Round event, and the winner will perform an encore at Robert Blackwood Hall. As one of Australia’s pioneers in a compositional style that combines classical and jazz genres, Dr Zavod is excited about the award.

“I am very enthusiastic about awards for young tertiary students throughout Australia who struggle without much financial assistance,” Dr Zavod said.

“These type of awards also challenge tertiary music students to excel in their performing and composition experience at university."