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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