Alex Lindsay Award
The Alex Lindsay Award was founded in memory of former New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Alex Lindsay, who died in 1974
Administered by current players of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the award aims to support young musicians who are studying and wish to pursue an orchestral career. Since its inception in 1975, the award has granted more than $200,000 to young New Zealand musicians.
Please note the Giese Flute Grant and Michael Monaghan Award are also administered by the trustees of the Alex Lindsay Award.
Application dates: 01 Jun 2026 – 31 Jul 2026
Application
For further information, please contact the Alex Lindsay Awards Trust at
alex.lindsay.award@gmail.com
Your application must include:
- A completed budget of proposed expenses ([download the budget template])
- An unaccompanied audio recording of a concerto exposition
- Audio recordings of orchestral excerpts for your instrument
- A list detailing the name, duration and order of your recordings
- Two references, written within the last 12 months
- A CV outlining your future study plans and long-term career goals
- Proof of citizenship or permanent residency, if born outside New Zealand
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or resident
- Applicants must play an orchestra instrument
- Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger as of 30 September 2025.
Applying for the Giese Flute Grant instead? No audition recording is needed, just a written application covering your short and long-term musical goals and how you intend to use the grant.
Downloads
Bass Trombone
PDF (0.83mb) | May 2024
Bassoon
PDF (1.78mb) | May 2024
Cello
PDF (1.89mb) | May 2024
Clarinet
PDF (1.56mb) | May 2024
Double Bass
PDF (0.75mb) | May 2024
Flute
PDF (0.82mb) | May 2024
Harp
PDF (3.5mb) | May 2024
Horn
PDF (1.25mb) | May 2024
Oboe
PDF (0.77mb) | May 2024
Percussion
PDF (5.74mb) | May 2024
Saxophone
PDF (0.64mb) | May 2024
Trombone
PDF (1.13mb) | May 2024
Trumpet
PDF (1.23mb) | May 2024
Tuba
PDF (0.99mb) | May 2024
Viola
PDF (2.53mb) | May 2024
Violin
PDF (1mb) | May 2024
About Alex Lindsay
Alex Lindsay MBE was Concertmaster of the NZSO until his sudden death in 1974.
A violinist trained at London's Royal College of Music, he held principal positions with the London Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras before returning to lead New Zealand's National Orchestra.
He was known for championing young musicians on the threshold of a professional career, a legacy this award continues.
Award trustees
Vesa-Matti Leppänen
First Violin
,
Concertmaster
Simeon Broom
Second Violin
Belinda Veitch
Viola
Bridget Douglas
Flute
,
Section Principal
Mark Carter
Trumpet
,
Sub-Principal
Matthew Allison
Trombone
,
Associate Principal
Previous winners
Double Bass
Lachlan Radford
2009
Annabella Leslie
2007
Zane Saunders
1995
Matthew Fieldes
1994
Michael Steer
1985
Clarinet
Benedict Van Leuven
2022
Kenny Keppel
2017
David McGregor
2014
Mark Cookson
1999
Andrew Uren
1993
John Robinson
1984
Rachel Nicholson
1983
Cello
Jacky Siu
2016
Paul Rah
2007
Mok-hyun Gibson-Lane
2002
Victoria Simonsen
2001
Victoria Simonsen
2000
Mok-hyun Gibson-Lane
1999
Julie Platt
1997
Christopher Hutton
1995
Ashley Brown
1995
Kathryn Owen
1993
James Bush
1989
Katherine Staniforth
1983
Josephine Young
1979
Sally-Anne Brown
1979
Sally-Anne Brown
1977
Robert Ibell
1974
No previous winners yet
There are no previous winners to display.
Related programmes
National Youth Orchestra
Emerging Artists
