Last Friday 15th November the Highlands Music Collective announced the winner of the EVA PASCOE AWARD at a Finalists concert.
WollCon is thrilled to announce that WollCon flautist Annabel Wouters was the winner of the Eva Pascoe award, which includes a $3000 scholarship, chamber music opportunities and mentorship with the Highlands Music Collective throughout 2025.
While in its third year now, it is the first time a flautist has won the Eva Pascoe Award.
“Winning came as quite a surprise because the competition was of such a high standard! I was listening from outside the door and every single performance was incredibly captivating, with so many skilled musicians. I feel incredibly honoured to have been awarded the Pascoe Award and I’m so excited for the next year and all of the opportunities that will come with it.”
For the competition Annabel chose to play the first movement of Muczynski’s flute sonata.
“It is very rhythmically challenging which makes it interesting to put together with the piano part, and it’s also very much influenced by jazz music and harmony. When both the parts start to lock in with one another, it starts to create this compelling, groovy piece of music that has so many unique moments that I continued to discover right up until the performance! It is one of my favourite pieces to perform, for me, it is the perfect piece for something challenging and super fun.”
There were also five Timothy Pascoe Encouragement Awards presented to the finalists including WollCon alumna Hana Lee (violin) who is now studying music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Artistic Director of the Collective, Myee Clohessy (WollCon Alumna and one of the judges) described the concert as absolutely brilliant with all six of our region’s most talented young instrumentalists performing their pieces with great confidence and finesse to an appreciative audience at the newly renovated Bowral Memorial Hall.
The Highlands Music Collective is a not-for-profit organisation (est. 2019) that delivers quality, versatile, and dynamic concert programs that engage the region’s most accomplished and passionate musicians. The collective encourages young emerging talent, gives Australian composers a much-needed platform, and shares the joy of playing chamber music.
The Awards were created in loving memory of the late Mrs Eva Pascoe by her husband, Dr Timothy Pascoe AM. The Pascoe Awards aim to encourage and nurture young musicians (aged 14 – 24) with connections to the Southern Highlands and surrounding regions.
The Judges were: Myee Clohessy, violin; Aaron Smart, flute; and Lisa Kawai, piano – Other Finalists: Charlotte Blake (18) flute, Oscar Dunn-Luck (18) piano, Robert Nelson (14) piano and Fin Torpy (19) flute.
We thank photographer Peter Hislop for photos.
