Music to Mark’s ears

His symphonic poem Odyssey recently won him the prestigious Ransom Prize and was performed by the TSO as part of the Symphony Services Elite Composers training.

Mr Holdsworth said he was only one of four applicants to attend the program.

"The program is incredibly advanced, perhaps the most extensive and competitively sought out in Australia; it involved a week of intensive workshopping, rehearsals and private lessons with Andrew Schultz and Matthew Hindson, culminating in a public performance at the TSO Studio," he said.

"I was so stoked to be accepted, especially seeing as my three peers from the eastern states were all much older and finishing PhDs, it made me feel particularly privileged to be considered among this incredible selection having only recently completed my undergrad."