Innovation Award Recipients 2022

These are the recipients of the Classical:NEXT 2022 Innovation Award. They were determined by an online vote open to the entire Classical:NEXT community, including all delegates who have registered for any of our editions and who are linked via C:N NET.

The nominees were named and voted for by the 15 expert members of the nominating committee from the 20-strong longlist.
Longlist, shortlist, public vote - read here how our Innovation Award works.

Shortlist   Longlist   Nominating Committee

Photo by Kevin Condon

Death of Classical (USA)

Nominated by Brian Wise

Some of the most sought-after concert tickets in New York City (NYC) are for a church crypt and a catacomb at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery, presented by this wryly named organisation. This year, Death of Classical (DOC) unveils a third subterranean series, the Cave Sessions, and a fourth series, The Speakeasy Sessions, in churches across the city. DOC has collaborated with NYC institutions such as the New York Philharmonic and more, in order to expand the reach of classical music.

Reason for nomination: DOC has partnered with institutions such as the historic Green-Wood Cemetery (a non-profit arts organisation), highlighting aspects of NYC history, as well as the New York Philharmonic and others.

 

Photo by Joseph Mayers

Ngarra Burria (Australia)

Nominated by Harriet Cunningham

Ngarra-Burria (Dharug words meaning ‘to hear, to sing’), builds bridges for First Peoples musicians to step forward, further develop their composition skills, and connect with the art music sector. Initiated in 2016 by Aboriginal composer Christopher Sainsbury, the programme takes a two-year cohort of composers on a voyage spanning the many realms of art music, including contemporary classical/new music, jazz, experimental, sound art and installations.

Reason for nomination: Ngarra-burria is a partnership between Moogahlin Performing Arts (NSW’s leading Indigenous performing arts company), the Australian Music Centre, the ANU School of Music, and Ensemble Offspring.

 

Photo by Yohan Lopez

Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín (Colombia)

Nominated by Mauricio Pena

The Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra is perhaps the most successful example of a non-government run orchestra in Colombia. As a nonprofit organisation, the orchestra has developed a management model in which music, social responsibility and community and corporate relations intersect to provide the citizens of Medellín with a variety of musical experiences in different places and at different stages of their lives. This orchestra clearly aims to remain relevant well beyond the 21st century.

Reason for nomination: Young infants, older adults, private enterprises, local communities, rock bands for children, pop singers, ex-combatants, music students, world-renowned artists: this is the orchestra of all Medellín.