Bundanon Trust has announced that six Australian composers have been awarded the Prelude residencies at four historic houses during 2019. Prelude is a national network of long-term residencies for Australian composers, housed in historic buildings and providing time and space for the creation of new work. In 2019 the six composers in-residence will be Sarah Blasko, Tim Dargaville, William Gardiner, Chris McNulty, Thomas Meadowcroft and Ngaiire. The historic houses are located in Perth WA, Adelaide SA, Sydney’s Paddington and the NSW Southern Highlands.

Prelude is based on the sentiment expressed by Peggy Glanville-Hicks in 1958 that, “It is apparent that leisure and silence are absolute prerequisites for composers if they are to engage fully the many forms of awareness involved in creative activity.” Prelude is in its third year and is managed by Bundanon Trust, which runs the largest artist-in-residence program in the country from its home on the NSW south coast.

In 2019 the programme builds on the established residencies at Peggy Glanville-Hicks House in Sydney, Gallop House in Perth and Beaumont Cottage in Adelaide, by expanding to include Golden Vale Homestead in Sutton Forest NSW. The successful applicants are provided with sole occupancy of the houses as well as a stipend to cover living costs and travel.

Image: Gallop House river view Dalkeith. Courtesy Bundanon Trust.