Perth clarinettist Ashley William-Smith and composer Lachlan Skipworth have been snapped holding a trophy at the APRA awards in Sydney tonight. We can confirm rumours that they have been awarded Performance of the Year!!!

Presented each year by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre, the Awards recognise achievement in the composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian art music. Art music covers activity across contemporary classical music, contemporary jazz and improvised music, experimental music and sound art.

Ashley’s performance with WASO and conductor Baldur Bronnimann of Lachlan’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra has won Performance of the Year. The performance was part of WASO’s popular Latitude new music series and was one of the most anticipated concerts of 2014.

 Other West Aussies featuring in the awards were the WA Symphony Orchestra in the category Excellence in a Regional Area for their WASO on the Road Touring and Onslow Kids Music Education. Also ex-West Aussie Iain Grandage won Vocal/Choral Work of the Year for The Riders, an opera based on the novel by Tim Winton.

For the full list of awards go to http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2015-awards/art-awards-2015/