The Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra (SHSO) has announced the winner of the 2020 composition competition.
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Southern Highlands resident and trumpeter John Corley won the competition with his composition called 'High Flight - Impressions on a Poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr' (1921 - 1944).
Magee Jr. was a Royal Canadian Air Force Spitfire pilot, who wrote the poem three months before being tragically killed in WW2.
John, a pilot with Qantas, took inspiration from his job.
"I was shocked when I received the phone call," he said.
Currently grounded due to COVID-19, John works at Bowral Hospital as COVID-19 test screener.
The competition was sponsored by Ann Carr-Boyd AM, one of the orchestra's patrons.
Two years ago Ann sponsored the first of these competitions, which attracted several composers.
The winning entries were performed in concerts by the SHSO.
As well as performing popular repertoire, the orchestra has played several works by Australian composers.
Ann Carr-Boyd's support in funding this competition is greatly appreciated.
The 2020 judges were:
- Ann Carr - Boyd AM
- Andrew Ford OAM
- Jillian Bridge
- Dr Allan Stiles
The premiere of this winning composition will be performed in the first concerts by the SHSO when it is able to resume performances.
