To mark the 50th anniversary of the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship for Flute, the Victorian Flute Guild partnered with the Melbourne Composers’ League to launch a national call for original flute compositions. The winning works would go on to become the official set pieces for the 2023 Scholarship competition — performed by young flautists across five age-based sections at both preliminary and finals stages.
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the inaugural Leslie Barklamb Composition Competition!
🏆 Winning Compositions
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11 Years and Under: Rising Theme by Haydn Reeder
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13 Years and Under: Tango by Michael Hannan
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15 Years and Under: Sarabande by Bill Kimber
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18 Years and Under (Intermediate): Feathers Taking Flight by Robert McIntyre
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25 Years and Under (Senior): In the Pocket by John Shephard
These original pieces showcased a wide range of styles and moods, from elegant baroque dances to rhythmically playful and imaginative modern works, highlighting both the expressive and technical capabilities of the flute.
Each winning composition was performed by all competitors in the relevant age category during the 2023 Leslie Barklamb Scholarship rounds. Selected finalists then presented these works again at the finals concert, giving the music a platform to be heard and celebrated.
🎼 Purchase the Scores
The winning pieces are now available for purchase through the Melbourne Composers’ League:
👉 Buy the Scores
👏 Congratulations
Congratulations to all who entered — the adjudicators were impressed by the high level of creativity and musicianship shown across all submissions. Thank you to everyone who made this special 50th anniversary initiative such a success.