Composition Competition Winners
2 Jul 2025
We're delighted to announce the winners and placegetters in the 2025 SOUNZ-NZCF Choral Composition Competitions. We're extremely grateful to this year's adjudicators, David N. Childs and David Tapene, who have each provided commentary on the entries.
For the NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition, adjudicator David Childs wrote an overview to entrants, saying:
“It has been both inspiring and deeply impressive to experience the high calibre of compositions submitted. Regardless of whether your work was placed or unplaced, or how many comments were offered in your adjudication, please take pride in knowing that the overall standard across all submissions was consistently outstanding. It’s truly exciting to see how rapidly young composers in Aotearoa are advancing and contributing meaningfully to the world of music.”
He went on to provide an extensive set of resources for the young composers – an extraordinary gift.
Of the winning entry Autumn Song by Abilio Fernandes of St Patrick's College, Wellington, David Childs wrote:
“Congratulations on an outstanding composition. Your score is beautifully and professionally presented – well done! That level of care and detail shows your commitment and sets a high standard. One of your greatest strengths is your melodic writing. You have a natural gift for shaping musical lines, which is not something every composer finds easy – so be proud of this! ....Overall, this is a truly impressive composition. Your harmonic sensibility, structural control, and part writing are all at a very high level. You’re already showing so much promise as a composer… it’s a wonderful achievement, and I can’t wait to see what you write next.”
Sofia Gong from King’s College, Auckland was placed second with Winter Stars, which David Childs called a “beautifully written and moving piece”. He went on to say
“Your score reveals a deep sensitivity to mood and atmosphere, your ability to shape a compelling narrative is already well developed. I was genuinely struck by the emotional depth of your work – bravo!”
The winner of the SOUNZ-NZCF Te Reo Māori Choral Composition Award is Jesse Wallace from Tawa College. He was the winner of the NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition last year! Of his composition Tēnei Te Arā (Karakia Tawhito), adjudicator David Tapene wrote:
“I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing your choral composition. Your piece features a very technical arrangement with some amazing chord transitions that caught my attention. The Ahua of what you have produced I certainly believe fits the kaupapa of the karakia and is truly commendable. Overall, your composition showcases your skill in crafting intricate arrangements and capturing the emotional depth of the theme. I believe this composition has the potential to resonate with both performers and audiences alike.”
Purity Rimaha from Rotorua Girls’ High School was awarded second place with her piece Nga Puāwai. David Tapene commented:
“Much thought has clearly gone into your kupu/whakaaro. And thereof, the way different parts overlay to emphasize specific points in the story is well executed. The piece has a beautiful flow that carries the listener effortlessly from one phrase to the next.”
The first-prize winner in each category will be presented with a trophy at The Big Sing Finale at the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday 30 August. We are grateful to SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music for gifting the SOUNZ-NZCF Te Reo Māori Choral Composition trophy, a beautiful pūtōrino Te Pūoho Ki Te Rangi carved by taonga puoro player/composer and maker Tāmihana Kātene.
Congratulations to all place-getters listed below.
To read more about the SOUNZ-NZCF Choral Composition Competitions, click here.
NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition 2025 Results
1st Prize - Abilio Fernandes, St Patrick's College, Wellington - for Autumn Song
2nd Prize - Sofia Gong, King's College, Auckland - for Winter Stars
3rd Prize - YuYang Ding, Westlake Boys High School, Auckland - for For Babel
Very Highly Commended:
Benjamin Viljoen, Palmerston North Boys' High School - for Ek herhaal jou
Leo Gore, Whitby Collegiate, Wellington - for Again and Again
Highly Commended
Abi Mitchell, Westlake Girls High School, Auckland - for Windy Nights
Larissa Chen, Westlake Girls High School, Auckland - for Sheep in Fog
SOUNZ-NZCF Te Reo Māori Choral Composition Award 2025 Results
1st Prize -Jesse Wallace, Tawa College, Wellington - for Tēnei Te Arā (Karakia Tawhito)
2nd Prize -Purity Rimaha, Rotorua Girls' High School - for Nga Puāwai
Meet the winners:
Abilio Fernandes – First Prize, NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition 2025
Abilio Fernandes is a Year 11 student at St Patrick's College Wellington. He is a dedicated musician who enjoys serving the college through music. Since Year 9, Abilio has been a member of the college choir, Con Anima, under the direction of Roger Powdrell and Mark Bobb, both singing and accompanying on the piano.
Abilio's compositional journey has been influenced by the rich and full textures produced by orchestral, choral, and piano works alike. His particular passion for the rich harmonies and melodic interplay produced by choral works, accompanied by the warm and vibrant colours of autumn, inspired his composition Autumn Song. He plans to use this passion to further his musical journey in composition.
Jesse Wallace - First Prize, SOUNZ-NZCF Te Reo Māori Choral Composition Competition 2025
Jesse Wallace is a Year 12 student at Tawa College. He is a passionate musician and enjoys participating in a range of musical ensembles. Jesse has a particular love for singing and currently studies with Kate Sutherland. He is a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir as well as Tawa College's Blue Notes, Dawn Chorus and Ringtones barbershop chorus. Jesse has a fascination with the human voice that features in his compositions.
Jesse won the NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition last year with his first major composition - A Winter Evening. This year's composition Tēnei te Arā (He Karakia Tawhito) draws on a karakia tawhito passed down to his father and explores Tāne’s sacred journey of descent, returning with ngā kete o te wānanga to share their wisdom with humankind.