Composer Matthew Peterson has been awarded first prize in the Sven-David Sandström Choral Composition Awards. The prize for newly composed choral music was founded in Sandström’s memory by the composer himself and his wife Ann-Marie Lysell.
An international jury selected Peterson from a pool of works by Sandström’s former students. The prize is a $5000 commission for an a cappella choral work, to be premiered by the Swedish Radio Choir at Berwaldhallen, Stockholm on 29 Oktober 2022, one day before what would have been Sandström’s 80th birthday.
The work will later be performed by Eric Ericsons Chamber Choir, The Norwegian Soloists Choir, Vocal Ensemble of the Oslo Conservatory), Indiana University NOTUS, and Sofia Vokalensemble.
The Jury consisted of: David Dzubay (Indiana University), Claude Baker (IU), Britta Byström (composer, Royal Swedish Academy), Dominick DiOrio (conductor of IU Notus), Fredrik Malmberg (Royal Conservatory in Stockholm, Eric Ericsons Chamber Choir), Stefan Parkman (conductor, Royal Swedish Academy), and Grete Pedersen (conductor, Norwegian Soloists Choir and Oslo Conservatory).