Congratulations Alice Chance!

MLC School’s Head of Composition and Old Girl Alice Chance (2011), is a finalist in the national APRA Art Music Awards. Her work, Adira Arenio and Agnus Dei is a finalist for Work of the Year – Choral alongside works by Dr. Paul Stanhope, Prof. Carl Crossin and Stephen Leek. The work was premiered at Sydney Opera House last year by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs VOX conducted by Elizabeth Scott.

 

The first section, Adira Arenio is a traditional hymn from Mer Island in the Torres Strait, arranged in collaboration with Kaylynn Zaro, Noel Zaro and community elders. The MLC School 2025 Tour choir were fortunate to do a workshop with Auntie Kay and Uncle Noel before performing this work throughout Europe. Auntie Kay and Uncle Noel also visited Tim Lennon’s Aboriginal Studies class that day, answering questions and teaching the students about Torres Strait culture.

 

The lyrics of the hymn, in the endangered Meriam Mir language, translate to a rough equivalent of the Christian mass text Agnus Dei or Lamb of God. The second section of the composition is Alice’s own setting of the latin text for choir and full orchestra. 

 

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in Melbourne on the 19 August 2026, hosted by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre.