The Douglas Lilburn Prize
Radio New Zealand Concert and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra first ran the competition in 2000 as the "Music 2000 Prize". It was renamed for the 2003 competition in memory of composer Douglas Lilburn.
New Zealand composers, and composers resident in New Zealand, are invited to enter a newly composed symphonic score of approximately 8 to 12 minutes. A judging panel appointed by the two organisations chooses five finalists. The finalists' works are recorded by the NZSO and broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert.
The winning piece is judged by votes from the panel, audience, and orchestra, and is subsequently performed in an NZSO subscription concert. The winning composer is awarded a substantial cash prize, as well as a further commission from the NZSO. There are also prizes for panel, audience and orchestra favourites.
2000
Overall Winner and Orchestra Prize
Penny Axtens: Part the Second
Audience Prize
Christopher Marshall: Hikurangi Sunrise
Finalists
Jonathan Besser: Predawn Meditation
Michael Norris: Nightdances
Craig Utting: Spirals
2003
Overall Winner, Orchestra Prize and Audience Prize
Michael Norris: Rays of the Sun, Shards of the Moon
Finalists
Craig Utting: Cirrus
Lucy Mulgan: Cape Reinga
Anthony Young: Mamaku
2006
Overall Winner, Orchestra Prize and Audience Prize
Lissa Meridan: this present brightness
Panel Prize
Chris Watson: circuit:spiral
Finalists
Jonathan Besser: Reflections in Thirds
Patrick Shepherd: cryosphere
Craig Utting: Lahar