Pacific Opera

Vocal Writing Prize Past Winners

2009—Benjamin Loomes

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2009 Pacific Opera Vocal Writing Prize is composer Benjamin Loomes whoose composition In my mind there's a Golden Thread  for baritone and piano was a hit with the judges.  Benjamin was presented with his $2,000 prize money at an event at the S.H Ervin Gallery on 25th February along with a performance of this and several of Benjamin's other beautiful works. The 2010 Telstra Wholesale Young Artist Michael Vaiasinni performed the winning work.

Benjamin Loomes is an honours graduate in music from the University of  Sydney, where he majored in composition, studying with Anne Boyd, Ross  Edwards and Peter Sculthorpe. He has written numerous works for a range of media, including orchestral and chamber works, but has a particular passion for vocal writing. In 2000 Benjamin won first prize in the Open Composition section of City of Sydney Performing Arts Challenge for his work "Christ Martyr" , which was also performed by the Sydney Chamber Choir at the University of Sydney.

Benjamin is a pianist and singer having performed numerous lead roles including: Eisenstein in "Fledermaus"; Sir Walter Raleigh in "Merrie England"; the title Role in "Fra Diavolo" by Auber; and in 2004, the role of BRIAN in his one-act opera "The Boat".

Benjamin is currently working as musical director in Opera Australia's WotOpera project, where he collaborates with young people to compose, stage and perform their own new Australian works. This January, Benjamin's Rock Opera "Crusade 1212" directed by Peter Cousins, was performed at The Independent Theatre, North Sydney. In 2007, Benjamin was commissioned by "Tall Popeas", producing a work, "The Present" which received very positive reviews. He is currently seeking funding for a number of works which are still in their infancy.