Scottish Awards for New Music announce 2023 shortlist

The Scottish Awards for New Music have announced their shortlist of nominees for 2023.

This year's awards ceremony will take place at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on 1 September, with Susanna Eastburn MBE set to host.

An international panel of composers, performers, programmers and music industry experts selected the final shortlist from over 170 nominations that were submitted across eight categories, including the PRS for Music Award for Large-Scale Work.

You can see the nominees for the Scottish Awards for New Music 2023 below.

The Dorico Award for Small-Scale Work, sponsored by Steinberg

• David Fennessy, Jack
• Joanna Nicholson, Linda Buckley and co, No Trees to Whisper
• Matthew Grouse, Silberblau
• Ruth Morley, Neon Flicker

The PRS for Music Award for Large-Scale Work

• Aileen Sweeney, Winter
• Errollyn Wallen, Dido’s Ghost
• Lisa Robertson, Amidst the rising tides - we rise

The Musicians' Union Award for New Music Performer(s)

• BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• Ruth Morley, flute player
• Sonic Bothy
• The Other Ensemble

The ISM Award for New Music Recording

• Joanna Nicholson, Gyre
• Martin Suckling, The Tuning
• Stuart MacRae, Ursa Minor: Chamber Music
• Various Artists, The Night With, live Volume 2

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Award for New Music Trailblazer

• Alasdair Campbell
• Kate Molleson
• Matthew Whiteside

The Award for New Music Project

• Echoes, Drake Music Scotland/Hebrides Ensemble
• Get Creative, Sound Scotland
• Modern Chants, various artists
• Over / At - Rufus Isabel Elliot

The Award for Sonic Art

• Alliyah Enyo, Selkie Tape Loops
• Maria Fusco & Olivier Pasquet, Mollspeak
• Peter Stollery, Gruyères Bells

The Award for New Music Programme

• Sonica Glasgow
• Sound Thought
• Unbound Sound
• WATER MUSIC source to sea

Speaking about this year’s awards, William Sweeney, composer and co-chair of New Music Scotland, said: ‘The Board of NMS sends heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s nominees! The awards were designed to highlight ground-breaking work and the nominations have truly lived up to that ambition. We have been so impressed by the vibrant energy and creative innovation evident across all the award categories and look forward to an inspirational evening celebrating Scotland’s hugely talented contemporary music community.’

Daniel Lewis, Relationship Manager – Classical at PRS for Music, added: ‘Large-Scale works are extremely important to classical music, and to creativity and innovation in music more widely. We are pleased to support the Scottish Awards for New Music 2023, and the Award for Large-Scale New Work, especially as there is a strong tradition in Scotland of composers writing excellent pieces in this category.

‘Congratulations to all those shortlisted and we look forward to seeing you at the ceremony in September!’