Fairytale-folk trio PALENCIA has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Ossa Music Prize with a program of original love songs set in a fantasy world.
Bachelor of Music students Amity Hutton, Emily Oates and Christian Palencia will receive a cash prize of $6,000 and financial support of up to $8500 to fund a tour of regional Tasmania.
PALENCIA performed three songs from a larger set called Animal, the musical story of an inventor who falls in love with a lazy blacksmith, in the concert final at the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music.
Guitarist and vocalist Christian Palencia, from Malaysia, said the songs were part of a 24-track ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ album the group had been working on.
“All of the music that we make is inspired by our heritage, other places that we’ve travelled, and it’s really a celebration of culture, diversity, inclusion and representation – that’s our focus,” he said.
In a final at The Hedberg featuring performances from the Bachelor of Music’s Songwriting, and Jazz and Pop, streams, PALENCIA took the prize over singer/songwriters the William Squires Trio and jazz group Home Movies.
PALENCIA have been performing together for 18 months and vocalist Emily Oates, from the Huon Valley, said the Conservatorium had brought them together.
“It’s really opened doors – being able to collaborate and meet people has just really made a lot of difference,” she said. “Exploring new genres and new styles that I would never have come across otherwise is great.”
Interim Director of the Conservatorium Jonathan Wallis said PALENCIA’s meticulous arrangements and attention to detail had resulted in a stand-out performance.
“The judging panel faced a difficult task, particularly with the high quality of original material presented,” Dr Wallis said.
“The prize will give Palencia an amazing opportunity now to gain experience touring and to bring their music to Tasmania’s regional communities.”
The tour will include performances in Queenstown, the North, North West and East Coast, with dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
“I’m really excited to bring that back to the communities that I’ve grown up with, just to inspire those next generations to showcase what can be possible,” said vocalist Amity Hutton, who grew up in Wynyard.
The judging panel also included Conservatorium lecturers Al Dobson and Maria Grenfell, and artistic director of the Lutruwita Art Orchestra and Clarence Jazz Festival Stevie McEntee.
The Ossa Prize is named after Tasmania’s highest mountain peak and was established in 2018 by University alumnus Dr Rod Roberts and Mrs Cecile Roberts to help students pursue excellence in musicianship. The Queenstown performance takes place in memory of Margaret Stoermer, thanks to support provided by her family.
